Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: Beauty of Wild Nature

Since my childhood the thought of wild adventure in jungle remained a matter of fascination for me. And every time I saw the world of wild creatures in various cinemas, books, magazines and newspapers my childhood fascination increased manifold. The wild roaming among the wild flora and fauna of jungle came true with my friend's invitation from Kerela. My friend is a forest ranger and is posted in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The invitation was so prompting that without a second thought I rushed to this place. The two days of exhaustive journey took me to the entrance gate of  the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Here, I felt the refreshing beauty of nature with sweet aroma of wild flowers and cacophony of various birds. Beside all this I saw my childhood friend waiting for me in an open Jeep. On our way to guest house he briefed me about this place. 

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Thekkady, 4 km from Kumili in Idukki district of Kerala.  Situated on the banks of the Periyar Lake, it is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries of India. This sanctuary is known for its  dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands surroundings. According to the census of the forest department this Sanctuary  has around 40 tigers, 20 leopards, 900 elephants and 280 gaurs and a wide variety of other wildlife. The reserve is also known for the Lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur, the Malabar giant squirrel, porcupine, wild dog, sloth bear, jungle cat, sambar, palm civet, wild boar and jackal. Approximately 180 species of birds are spotted in this National Park. 

The two day stay in a guest house with the ambience jungle is beyond description. Here morning is greeted in the numerous tones from various bird species and evening with beautiful sunset. The silence of night is broken by numerous unrecognisable sound from various animals. The sight of wild animals in their natural habitat is full of fascination and thrill.

Next day my friend guided me through various interesting spots of this sanctuary. The view of flora and fauna was so much engrossing that it made me speechless. The outstanding beauty of nature and wild animals in their natural habitat is beyond imagination.

I wished to visit the tiger reserve of this sanctuary but it was not allowed at that time by the sanctuary authority. But my friend promised me to take me there for tiger sighting on my next visit. I generously thanked him for his support. To some extent I was satisfied with this short tour which kindled my fascination into burning desire to explore more wildlife destinations.

Next morning my friend dropped me at the Idukki railway station and from there I boarded the train to Delhi. Throughout my train journey the sights of wildlife which I saw in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary raced through my heart filling it with great joy. 

My Tour to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary: A Fantasy of Feathers

The story starts with the dense greens of Bharatpur National Park in Rajasthan, about 56 km from Agra, when I found myself in waist deep water while attempting to file some Siberian Cranes. I put the stand and camera on my shoulders and got a hide out constructed as the birds were frightened. The hide out was like a small thatched hut, two meters high with a few peep holes for the tele-lens. That was the most exciting experience of my life when I was trying to capture some best birds in my camera.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

In this bird paradise, I also spotted sambars, bluebulls, wild boars, blackbuck and nilgai waded through Bharatpur Lake. Though a guide told me that lucky tourists can also get to see jungle cat, leopard cat, fishing cat, chital, chinkara and a few reptiles in the forest – but I didn’t get that opportunity. The sun was up and the birds started moving around, and I was happy with the view. My movie camera, an Éclair, also began to whirl. Serving as one of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as well.

Looking back to its origin, Keoladeo was named after an ancient Hindu temple standing at he centre of the park, devoted to Lord Shiva. On the other side, 'Ghana' means dense, which refers to the thick forest. Wildlife texts and books claim that the park serves as a home to over 400 species of birds including cranes, pelicans, geese, ducks, eagles, hawks, shanks, stints, wagtails, warblers, flycatchers, buntings, larks and pipits, etc. But I visited the park for three consecutive days just to have a glimpse of the world-famous Siberian Cranes.

I was unlucky for that glimpse, but one afternoon, a Kingfisher came near the Bharatpur Lake and starting hunting its prey. Its technique was very interesting. It hovered at a fixed point in the sky keeping a watch over the fish in the water. As soon as a shoal of fish came directly below, it would dive – its aim was unerring. It caught its prey every time. One of the twigs in my hideout was projected. The kingfisher perched itself on it to devour its catch. All this was happening so close to me that the water drops flung away by the bird fell on the tele-lens. I could observe the bird, but it could not spot me! 

I also enjoyed a trip to the forest trails, which I covered on foot. I enjoyed the best experience of bird watching there. A guide assisted me throughout the trail, who told me that the park has a total area of about 2900 hectares (29 sq km), mostly low lying land that gets inundated by rainwater. During monsoon & winter, 500 hectares of land are transformed into a vast natural lake. This 'Ornithologist's Paradise' was declared a National Park on 10^th March 1982, and later a World Heritage Site in December 1985. Flora at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary consists of 64 families, 181 genera and 227 subspecies – of which I captured almost all the major ones, I think!

The abundance of aquatic vegetation, fish, frogs, insects, mollusk & plankton in shallow and widespread waters provide ideal conditions for nesting. More than 400,000 birds belonging to over 400 species arrive at Bharatpur every year. The Bombay Natural History Society has been studying the migration of the birds that come to Bharatpur for quite some time by putting rings on the legs of nestlings. The entire bird sanctuary becomes a vast breeding sanctuary for birds during the rainy season.

Mussoorie Tourism: Heaven for Holidaymakers

The best part about ‘birthday’ is that it is the first day of another 365 day journey around the sun. ‘I had a blast on my birthday this year with my friends’ doesn’t mark any story to tell, obviously. But I specially planned a Tour to Mussoorie with some of my friends just to celebrate my birthday, is certainly an experience to share. So, the story starts with our arrival in Mussoorie – the Queen of Hills in north India. Marvelous beauty at an altitude of 2000 meters, cool and pleasant climate conditions, vast carpet of greenery, rich variety of flora and fauna, and breathtaking snow capped mountains!

Mussoorie Tourism: Heaven for Holidaymakers

While enjoying our morning breakfast in the hotel, the manager told us that the best thing about Mussoorie is that it serves as a gateway to Gangotri and Yamunotri, two sacred destinations known to be the origin of rivers Ganga and Yamuna respectively. We started our exploration with the perennial Kempty waterfall. We found it actually very crowded, therefore we visited a more secluded place by climbing the steps lined along the flow of the stream, and find ourselves in a rocky enclosure formed naturally by the stream. After spending a couple of hours there, we headed for the Happy Valley that houses the IAS Academy, Tibetan temples and the Municipal Gardens. The municipal garden there proved to be a wonderful location to us for photography. Also known as Company Bagh, the garden attains an impression of old colonial gardens and has a wide green carpet of neat and clean lawns & a fountain in the center.

We stopped for a quick bite at a nearby restaurant and then visited the Gun Hill. A guide there told us that this hill dates back to the pre-independence period when a canon was fired from here every afternoon to help people know the time and adjust their watches. The hill is so significant to the entire town because it accommodates the entire water reservoir. We got back by a ropeway ride which offered awesome views of the entire valley. Later, we visited Jwala Devi Temple (atop the Benog Hills) closer to the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary – after all it was my birthday!! We enjoyed the views of the valley adorned with colorful flowers and gushing streams from the temple.

Next day, our first halt was four kilometer long Camel’s Back Road. This natural layout of rocks actually looks like the camel’s hump back. It served as a perfect spot for our morning walk. We also paid a short visit to the Christ Church, which was built in 1836 as per the Gothic design. The events in the life of Jesus Christ, which are depicted in the glass windows of the church, are also quite admirable. We also wanted to visit Lal Tibba – the highest point in Mussoorie, but access to the hill is restricted because of Indian Military operations. Therefore, we headed towards The Mall, the heart of Mussoorie. The area is dotted with video game parlors, skating rinks and other attractions. We also picked a few skating rinks on rent at Rs. 80 per hour and spent a couple of hours in skating. We did not get the opportunity to visit Cloud’s End, the end of Mussoorie. But we refreshed our senses at the Jharipani Falls, located 6 km downhill from Mussoorie. This way, our trip was full of fun and frill and we had a great time amidst the pure and unpolluted environment of Mussoorie.

Tour to Sarnath: Gem among Religious Tours to India

Sarnath, a small Buddhist place in the wonder state of Uttar Pradesh, came into limelight with a UNESCO project a few days back. The project was funded by Japan and it declared Sarnath as ‘the biggest Buddhist settlement in all of Central India’. Quite fascinating!! Every news channel & newspaper was full of stuff like ‘eight structures identified’, ‘14 more monasteries revealed’, ‘23 stupas found’ etc. Luckily, two friends of mine organized a short trip to Sarnath on the occasion of Buddha Purnima (last week of April). The journey from Delhi to Varanasi was smooth and relaxing, but reaching Sarnath from Varanasi (only 10 km) proved to be really hectic and tiring because of a big fair to celebrate the day of the Buddha's birth, nirvana and death.

Tour to Sarnath

Next morning, we hired a Toyota Qualis and started our exploration. Our first halt was Dhamekh Stupa, the largest in the region. Built around 500 AD, this remarkable structure is cylindrical in shape with 28 m diameter and 43.6 m height. While listening to a guide who was leading a Spanish group, we came to know that it marks the spot where Lord Buddha proclaimed his faith in front of his first five followers. All three of us were surprised to see the architectural beauty of the Stupa, which lays in its fine floral carvings of Gupta origin and Buddhist inscriptions dating back to 6^th century.

While having lunch at a restaurant, the driver told us that Emperor Ashoka visited Sarnath around 234 BC and spread Lord Buddha's message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire. He also constructed a stupa here, named Chaukhandi Stupa. We visited the site, which is a lofty mound of brick work. Its square edifice is surrounded by an octagonal tower.

In the evening, we also paid short visits to the Archaeological Museum and Chinese & Tibetan Temples. The best part with the Archeological Museum is that it houses the superb Lion capital of the Ashoka Pillar, which has been adopted as the National Emblem of India. Most of the structures were built between the 3^rd century BC and the 11^th century AD. Still Sarnath boasts of having the most expansive ruins among the places related to Lord Buddha.

Darjeeling Tourism: The Best Of Sightseeing & Adventure

It wasn't easy. I've experienced sleepless nights. Coffee was my only companion in silent nights when I was going through a number of Indian tour guides searching for a quiet, relaxing and lazy destination. Finally, I noticed a small town – Darjeeling – at the foot of Himalayas, filled with clean fresh mountain air and offering marvellous views of snow capped Everest, Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Jannu and other peaks. Around 6 km away, before reaching Darjeeling, I stopped at Ghoom – a renowned place dominated by the famous Yiga Choeling Monastery. As I entered the monastery, I found 15 images of the Maitreya Buddha, ancient palm leaves and paper manuscripts in Tibetan language.

Darjeeling Tourism

After having a quick bite at a roadside dhaba, I visited the Museum of Natural History that showcases a wonderful collection of Himalayan animals, reptiles, birds and insects. On my way to the city centre, I also paid short visits to Aloobari and Bhutia Busty monasteries. These holy Buddhist places not only showcase the rarest of antique articles and manuscripts but also depict an excellent architectural pattern. My hotel was quite close to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park that is the only center in India for the breeding of snow leopard.

The next morning, I started my exploration with the Mountaineering Museum (run by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which trains mountaineers). I also wanted to experience the thrill of mountaineering, for which the museum authority provided me with all the equipments and clothes along with a trained assistant. Sanjog, my assistant, told me that it is the first place in India where Dr. Hooker organized trekking in the 1840s. I also enjoyed breathtaking views of Everest and Kanchenjunga peaks from high altitudes.

My next destination was the Observatory Hill, which is attached to strong religious faiths for the Hindus. The renowned Mahakal temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a holy Hindu site here. Post lunch, I headed towards the market, where I found all the shops loaded with good quality woolens and other Tibetan crafts like carpets, wood and leather work. My driver took me to the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center for the best of souvenirs, which is frequented for ethnic Tibetan artifacts.

At the end, I also enjoyed a journey in the Toy Train of Darjeeling. Started in September 1881, the train was declared a World Heritage icon in 1999 by UNESCO on the recommendation of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. That short journey left a long-lasting memory to me.

Honeymoon On Goa Beaches: Simply The Best !!

Finally, my long awaited dream came true and I tied a knot with my childhood lover. I always had a wish to visit some exciting destinations with her. As we were planning for a romantic honeymoon trip, she insisted me to explore Goa beaches. She, being an adventure enthusiast, loves to go for water sports while I am a lazy spirit and love to spend days in seclusion. And we came to a conclusion that a trip to Goa is full of attractions for all kinds of tourists with varying moods. I contacted Monika, a friend of mine who works with Caper Travel Company Pvt. Ltd. (a reputed India tour operator company), and asked her to plan a honeymoon tour to Goa for me.

Honeymoon On Goa Beaches

On arriving Goa, both of us were amazed to see the perfect blend of sea, sand, sun, surf and sea-food. The land abounds with scenic beauty all around and this makes it one of the picture perfect destinations in India. Roaring sea waves in Goa ensure a special bond between couples. The best part with this hot and happening place is that its 105 km long coastline is endowed with lovely beaches. Moreover one can avail the best of luxury services and facilities at various hotels and beach resorts in Goa. I also booked a cozy room in a beach resort near the Anjuna Beach in north Goa.

We started our exploration with north Goa and its capital Panaji/Panjim. I spend one entire day visiting the ancient Portuguese churches, monuments, gardens and statues. The next day was dedicated to all kinds of water sports, for which we visited Anjuna, Baga, Arambol, Dona Paula and the Calangute Beach. My beautiful wife enjoyed parasailing, water-scootering, wind-surfing, scuba diving, water skiing & angling, and I accompanied her in almost all the sports. In the evening, we spent some quality time on the white sands feeling the touch of cool air with some lip-smacking sea-food delicacies.

Now was the turn to explore south Goa. We visited attractive Portuguese-style villages, the cultural city of Margao and the picturesque beaches like Bogmalo, Colva, Agonda and Palolem. We spent romantic evening there while strolling hand in hand down the beaches, dancing by the fireside at midnight, and singing old songs to the beautiful notes of strumming guitar. We celebrated our newly found companionship in the trance parties till the wee hours in the night. At the end, Goa is simply the best to enjoy a memorable honeymoon. Whether you want to spend relaxing vacations together or want to have fun as a couple – Goa beaches are incomparable !!

Varanasi: The Cultural Centre of India

Varanasi: Cultural Centre of India

Banarasi Silk Sarees and Banarasi Paan have always been fascinating elements in Bollywood movies. And luckily I got a chance to visit Varanasi – the city of Moksha for Hindus since centuries. In school, I had read that the holy city not only boasts of being the oldest city of the world but is also one of the Shakti Peethas and the twelve Jyotir Linga sites in India. After arriving in the city, I rushed towards my hotel. I could hear pleasant prayers and chantings as it was quite close to the popular Dasaswamedh ghat.

I enjoyed bathing in the holy river Ganges at the ghat and explored the nearby sites and famous temples while boating there. After enjoying the boat ride for an hour, I had awesome jalebis (a traditional sweet) and spicy kachoris at a roadside shop. Meanwhile, the shopkeeper told me that it is believed that those who die and are cremated here get an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of births and re-births. I could see many people singing alongside the ghat. The abode of Lord Shiva is more than 3000 years old.

After that, I hired a taxi ad headed towards the Buddhism pilgrimage Sarnath. Located at a distance of 10 km, this is the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon 'Maha- Dharma-Chakra Pravartan' (in Buddhist terminology – 'turned the wheel of the law') after his enlightenment. The ruins of the brick temple representing the Mula – gandha kuti, ruins of stupas and monasteries are the major attractions here. I also paid short visit to the Dhamekh Stupa, which is adorned with delicate floral carvings in the lower part. My driver insisted me to visit the ancient Chaukhandi Stupa and Mahabodhi Society's Mulgandha Kuti Vihar Temple as well. But we were running short of time, therefore I decided to go back to Varanasi.

I stopped for a quick bite at a restaurant and then headed towards the other popular ghats. Someone told me that Varanasi has a rich collection of over 81 ghats, but I paid short visits to the prominent ones like the Assi, Manikarnika, Tulsi and Panch Ganga ghats. Another fascinating element in Varanasi is the 18th century Durga Temple. My last halt in Varanasi was the market area, which was loaded with good quality Banarasi Carpets, Silk Sarees and several other things. Although the trip was short but perfectly enjoyable. I could feel the positive spiritual vibes in the atmosphere.

Jim Corbett National Park: Unlimited Adventure & Thrill

Jim Corbett National Park

The roar of tigers is a fascinating element for almost all the wildlife lovers. Wildlife is one such factors that maintains an impressive collection of memories through years. The thrill, rarest of fauna, amazing creatures, colourful avifauna species and the best of divine nature – all the elements are simply incomparable. It was chilly cold in the first week of January in Delhi. I did my research on all the nearby wildlife destinations, and planned for a short weekend vacation to the Jim Corbett National Park. It was 0500 hrs of that foggy Saturday morning when I reached Ramnagar by train (240 km). I hired a taxi to Jim Corbett, and in next 20 minutes, I was at a cozy forest rent house situated amidst dense greens.

In winters, the morning safari starts at 0730 hrs, so I had a couple of hours to get freshed. On my breakfast table, I met a Russian tourist named Brook. Despite of being a foreigner, he knew a lot about the place. Brook told me that Jim Corbett not only boasts of being the oldest National Park of India, which was established in 1936, but also being the First Tiger Reserve in India. Quite impressive !! We decided to share the Jeep Safari in the park together.

The driver told us that we had three hours to explore the thrilling dense greens. The Jim Corbett tourism guide says that it is a home to more than 575 Species of Birds, 25 Species of Reptiles, 50 Species of Mammals and 7 Species of Amphibians. I found the park quite rich in vegetation also. From tall sal trees to shisham, khair, bakli, chir, gurail and bamboo trees, the park is blessed with over 110 species of trees and 51 species of shrubs.

Jeep Safari is undoubtedly the best way to feel the intense jungle but unluckily I did not spot any tiger there. The driver told us that animals like chital, sambar, chinkara, pada, muntjac, monkeys, dholes (wild dogs), jackals and ghorals (mountain goats) also inhabit the Park. And I spotted a few of them alongside the Ramganga river. We also saw a huge herd of elephants comprising tuskers, females and calves. As we were trying to capture them in our cameras, the driver told us not to get out of the jeep as this could be the most dangerous encounter in the wild. The reason behind is that elephants are very possessive of their young and do not hesitate to charge at intruding human beings.

I was tempted to go swimming in the Ramganga river as well, but I dropped the idea because of the crocodiles that are always hungry for humans flesh. My short tour to Jim Corbett National Park was actually action packed. All the activities there were a delight for my memories.

Goa – A destination One Can Talk Endlessly About!

Golden Goa Beaches

The word 'beach' is inseparable from the adventure-filled destination 'Goa'. In fact, it would be apt to say that 'life is a beach' in Goa. Famed the world over, the beaches of this overwhelming destination offer everything one can ask for. Right from the pleasant environment to the scenic beauty, water sports, interesting cuisine, a variety of accommodation options and shopping opportunities, it offers all.

Drunk on beaches, s to choose I reached Goa to let myself loose in its charismatic aura. The most difficult part of my journey wafrom a host of beach options in Goa, where every beach has its own unique charm and beauty. To being with, I planned to visit North Goa first as I have heard that it is a paradise when it comes to beaches. It attracts maximum tourists from both India and abroad.

I flew down to the Dabolim Airport at Vasco da Gama with my heart brimming with joy. After resting for a while at the hotel, I was all set for my adventurous journey. My first halt was the arresting Arambol Beach. At this beach, the waves, the palm trees, the salubrious environment, the scenic beauty, all seem to be in perfect harmony with nature. I felt everything was 'embracing' there. The ambiance was peaceful and inviting and this is something we all crave for.

Exotic Goa Life

I enjoyed taking dips into the sea but I was very careful as I knew that this beach is not safe for swimming. I also opted for a dolphin-spotting trip and was rewarded with glimpses of dolphins. I captured the breathtaking views of the beach in my camera. Those moments were truly golden.

Arambol beach was lined with shacks and a few stalls selling sarong and a variety of other shopping items. I bought a few things and that too on a heavy discount. After this I climbed the Waghcolomb Hill, which offers fascinating views of the beach.

At night I went to the Loekie Cafe, located on the road to the beach, to experience the nightlife of Goa. After flaunting my pelvic and pectoral at the jam session, I came back to the hotel with wonderful thoughts of the beach bouncing around in my mind. Believe me they are still bouncing around in my mind.

Khajuraho: The Temple Town With Erotic Sculptures

Khajuraho Erotic Sculptures

Those who want proof that the 'Kama Sutra' originated in India, must visit the temple town of Khajuraho, India. Luckily I got a chance to visit the place in the last week of February. It was the time when the entire town was busy with the celebrations of an annual classical dance festival. Somebody told me that this week long festival is celebrated at the Chitragupta Temple complex and attracts performers and dance groups from all over India. It was certainly good or me as I was craving to enjoy all the popular classical dance forms of India under one roof.

As I arrived Khajuraho, about 620 km from Delhi, I first booked a room in a budget hotel where the hotel manager told me that Khajuraho is not just another temple city of India. Going back to the history of Khajuraho, he told me that once in a fit of passion and lust, the Moon God seduced and ravaged a beautiful Brahmin girl 'Hemvati', which resulted in the birth of Chandravarman (the founder of the Chandela dynasty). Later he made a temple with countless sculptures to reveal all aspects of the treasure of passion and erotic fantasy to the world. It is believed that the construction of this entire masterpiece (started in the 11th century) was completed over a period of about 200 years.

Finally, I headed for the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, the key attraction of Khajuraho tourism. A large arts and crafts fair was also organized during that period, which added some more beauty to the place. A guide told me that originally there were over 80 Hindu temples, of which only 25 now stand in a state of preservation. The temples of Khajuraho, scattered over an area of about 21 sq. km., are famous for the eroticism etched on its walls in the form of sculptures.
After visiting Khajuraho temples, I enjoyed various classical styles of Indian dance like Kathak, Bharat Natyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali. A short visit to the ASI Museum (Archaeological Survey of India), Jain Museum and State Museum of Tribal and Folk is also quite fascinating about Khajuraho. These museums exhibit hundreds of statutes and a rarest of collection of tribal artifacts in terracotta, metal craft, wood craft, painting, jewelery etc. My last activity during Khajuraho tour was to explore the market area, which is loaded with wonderful sculptures made of iron, brass and stones.

Exploring the Handicrafts and Fine Arts in Agra

Handicrafts of Agra

Rows of roadside stalls, glittering with cheap and sparkly clothing, marble items, various fine handicrafts, good quality leather shoes & chappals and arrays of the other hot selling items – that is what I saw in my dreams last night. The real deal in Agra bazaars is still the tiny crammed shops selling the latest styles.

I asked an autowala to take me to the major market areas of the city. He told me that during the Mughal reign, several sculptors, painters, artisans, jewelers, weavers, embroiderers, carpet makers, musicians and metal workers came here to offer their talents to the royal families. The Empress Noor Jahan also had a keen interest in embroidery and textiles. Therefore she employed a large number of women seamstresses to work on the grand robes of the Emperor and his courtiers.

All these arts are continued till date in Agra

Fine Arts In Agra

by their descendants. We first visited the Sadar Bazar. The shops there were loaded with a huge variety in marble items, leather items (shoes, bags, belts and more), rugs and carpets, and brassware (including hookah bases). I found a few items quite costly but good quality leather items were available at reasonable prices. Next we headed for the Kinari Bazar, where I enjoyed authentic Mughlai cuisine at a restaurant. I also bought sweets like 'Petha' & 'Gazak' and a snack called 'Dalmoth' for my brothers.

There are a few handicraft emporiums as well that offer a variety of sandalwood and rosewood items. I also visited the U.P. State Emporium called 'Gangotri' at the Taj Mahal Complex, and the Shilpagram crafts village. Both the places offer a choice of handicrafts under one roof at reasonable prices. While returning to my hotel, I also brought a small but beautiful marble replica of the Taj. One thing that marks an authentic street shopping experience in Agra, is the deliciousness of the bargain.

Agra Tour: Experience The Rich Heritage

Set alongside the breathtaking Yamuna River, the historical town of Agra gives you a chance to reconnect with the glorious past of the Mughals and experience the architectural magnificence. I had already visited the wonder monument Taj Mahal last day. Therefore, I planned to devote one entire day to explore all other prominent attractions in the city and the nearby regions. After a heavy breakfast, I hired a guide and headed towards the renowned Agra Fort.

We entered the fort through the Amar Singh Gate, which lies to the South and is defended by a square bastion flanked by round towers. Dara, my guide, told me that the fort had originally four gates, two of which were later walled up. Delhi gate in the west is fortified by massive octagonal towers and faces the bazaar and leads to the Jama Masjid in the city. Initiated by Emperor Akbar in 1565, the fort was completed by Shah Jahan. This crescent shaped monument is flattened on the east with a long wall facing the river Yamuna. The most fascinating features of the Agra Fort are Jahangir Mahal (built by Akbar as women's quarters), Jodha Bai's Palace (offering marvellous views of the Taj) and Anguri Bagh (85 m square geometric gardens lying to the left of the fort).

I also visited the tomb of the Itmad-ud-Daula. This impressive structure was laid by the empress Noor Jahan as a memorial to her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. As written in the history text books, the structure is actually, ornamented with pietra dura inlay and lattice work marble screens. This white marble tomb also houses the cenotaph of Noor Jahan's mother Asmat Begum. Refereed to as 'the Baby Taj', this stunning tomb rests in a walled garden with a view of the river Yamuna. Dara told me that Mirza Ghiyas himself laid out the char bagh style of architecture six years before his death that has been used in the construction of the tomb.

At a nice restaurant, we enjoyed the best of Tandoori and Mughlai cuisine. Then we moved towards Sikandra – the last resting place of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Lying 13 km from the city, this pyramidal tomb was completed by Akbar's son Jahangir in 1613. Dara guided me to the beautiful garden, gateway and the five storeyed mausoleum, which are still maintained in a superb manner. I also paid a short visit to the 'Chini ka Rauza' – the mausoleum of Mulla Shukrullah Shirazi, the Prime Minister of Shahjahan.

Fatehpur Sikri

The last halt of my excursion trip was Fatehpur Sikri – the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign. An inscription there says that the place flourished at its best from 1571 to 1585. Dara told me that the region witnessed innovations in land revenue, coinage, military organization and provincial administration. The major attractions of this World Heritage Site are the Buland Darwaza, Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) etc. After enjoying the fulfilling experience of visiting these wonderful monuments, I was all set to go on a shopping spree the next day !!

Taj Mahal: Beauty Beyond The Scope Of Words

TajMahal - Symbol of Love

I had already known how the Taj Mahal was built as the preeminent expression of a man's love for a lady. Known as one of the seven wonders of the world, this mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in commemoration of his wife Mumtaz. I was craving for that lifetime experience. I wanted to see how beautiful could be the combination of the Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. Finally, I applied for a leave in my office and headed towards the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh.

It was 12 in the noon when I arrived there, and I did not even bothered to have my lunch. Carrying a small bag with a few packets of chips and biscuits, I hired a rickshaw to the Taj Mahal. The city seems to be quite cheaper in comparison to Delhi or Jaipur or some other tourist destination. In another few minutes, I was at the Taj. It was a dream come true. This jewel of Muslim art is one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. The first thing which fascinated me was the square plinth on which stands the large, white marble structure consisting of a symmetrical building with an iwan (an arch-shaped doorway) topped by a large dome and finial. People were clicking some photographs at the base structure, which is a multi-chambered cube with chamfered corners, forming an octagon that is about 55 meters on each of the four long sides. The marble dome towering 35 meters and surmounting the tomb is another spectacular feature.

I got along with a French group headed by a guide. The guide told us that the main finial was originally made of gold but was replaced by a copy made of gilded bronze In the early 19th century. The 40 meters tall minarets display the designer's penchant for symmetry. The best part of the Taj was calligraphy, paintings, stuccoes, stone inlays and carvings. The charbagh garden (with four river stream flowing in the centre) is completely inspired by Persian gardens.

Lastly, I visited the inner part of the Taj. I saw 99 names of the God as calligraphic inscriptions on the sides of the actual tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. The tomb of Shah Jahan also has a calligraphic inscription regarding the journey of his life. The guide told us that the construction began in 1632 and was completed around 1653, which employed about twenty thousand artisans and craftsmen. Over 1,000 elephants were used to transport building materials from various places – like the translucent white marble from Rajasthan, the jasper from Punjab, jade and crystal from Chinam, turquoise from Tibet, Lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, sapphire from Sri Lanka and the carnelian from Arabia. In all, 28 types of precious and semi-precious stones were inlaid into the white marble.

Standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna, this epitome of love is simply a monument of immeasurable beauty.

Ranthambore National Park: The Land Of Tigers

“A country is known by the way it treats its animals.” - This statement by

Ranthambore National Park

Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, has always been a lesson to me. It was my last day in Jaipur, and I was seeking to explore some alluring site. Being a great fan of Ramesh Bedi, a veteran wild-life writer and photographer, finally decided to take an excursion tour to Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary. It was an awesome deal where I could capture the tigers and other fauna in my camera. To enjoy the tour into this sanctuary, I hired a jeep that took me in the deep forests without any fear.

I was in the eastern part of Rajasthan at a distance of 130 km from Jaipur. The very first fascinating factor was the natural beauty of the surrounding Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges. My driver-cum-guide told me that Ranthambore National Park used to be the hunting ground of Maharajas of Jaipur. It was first declared a game sanctuary in 1955 and later became a National Park in 1980, and came under the Tiger Project. The Park is actually an eye treat for the lovers of wild-life. Various natural rivers and man-made lakes flowing through the National Park add some extra charm to it.

After a drive of hardly two kilometers, I spotted langurs, caracals, hyena, jungle cats, marsh crocodiles, jackal, bear, sambar, chital, nilagai, gazelle, mongoose, wild boar and a few other animals. But I was still searching for the roaring tigers and speedy leopards. The driver then took me to the Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. While on the way to these lakes, he told me that we could easily spot tigers there. And surprisingly, withing next 15 minutes, I was clicking the best tigers of India, in their relaxing moments. Hunting is strictly prohibited in the grounds of this National Park.

Ranthambore National Park has some areas open for the tourists to travel around and explore the flora and fauna of the park. There was a small restaurant, where I enjoyed a cup of coffee with some light snacks. The chaiwala told me that the Park has the largest and most diverse collection of wildlife species in India, including 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, over 300 species of birds, 12 reptiles and 30 species of mammals. Ranthambore Park is also classified as a heritage site because of some of the ruins of old monuments. As I was running out of time, I paid short visits to the Jogi Mahal (has the second largest Banyan tree in India), Ranthambore Fort (probably the oldest existing fort in Rajasthan) and the Padam Talao. The Cenotaphs and Old Citadels date back to thousand years. The trip was very exciting and I returned back to my hotel with some remarkable moments in my camera.

Elephant Festival In Jaipur: An Incomparable Entertainment

Elephant Festival Jaipur

Being addicted to celebrations, I have been fascinated by the royal festivities, pageants and beautiful processions. And while holidaying in Jaipur, the elephants definitely become an exciting element of the celebrations. Elephants have always been a symbol of strength and wealth to me, and when I came to know that Jaipur devotes one complete day for 'Elephant Festival', I could not resist myself for visiting the Chaugan ground. Moreover, I convinced all my friends as well to accompany me as well. Chaugan ground was the place which was going to host the festival the very next day.

The Elephant Festival is held in the month of March, on the eve of Holi - the festival of colors. People celebrate Holi by throwing water balloons, coloured water and Abir/Gulal (colored powder) on each other. People in Rajasthan give a warm welcome to the spring with Elephant Festival. The entire Chaugan ground was alive with dancers, musicians, elephants and onlookers from around the world. As the festival started, the audience was greeted with an impressive procession of the majestic elephants lovingly painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets. These processions, including elephants, camels and horses, cover almost all the major streets of Jaipur. The hard work of mahouts (elephant keepers) for decorating the elephants, painting their trunks, foreheads and feet with floral motifs, and adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting trinkets was clearly depicted there. The caparisoned elephants, accompanied by lancers on horses, chariots, camels, cannons and palanquins, form the most important attraction of the festival.

Jaipur Festival

During the festival, the elephants greeted the visitors, offered garlands to the guests and walked past the ramp before a jury of experts. The judges selected the best amongst them for the title of 'Best Decorated Elephant'. Next programme was the catwalk by the female elephants before an enthralled audience. These female elephants wear wear anklets, which make music as they walk. In the olden times, special hunting programs on elephant back and elephant fights were organized to entertain the royal guests. The festival, obviously, had nothing to do with hunting programmes, but what we enjoyed most were the elephant races, elephant-polo matches and tug of war between elephants and men. The game of polo was the highlight of the festival. The teams, dressed in saffron and red turbans, were trying to score goals with long sticks and a plastic ball. It was superb. I wish I could have volunteered to join in and be a part of the game, but being an amateur I did not even think about it.

An outstanding display of fireworks brought the festival to a colorful and memorable end. We also enjoyed traditional music and dance at the floor. The best among them was the 'Ghair', in which the women swirl in unison to rhythmic beats. The spectacular event was truly the day of the pachyderm.

Shopping In Jaipur: The Most Colourful Aspect

Shopping in Jaipur

Honestly speaking, whatever be the place, I have never been a shopaholic. Shopping for me is actually wastage of time. Yes, I am interested in artifacts and handicrafts at times. But spending a complete day just to explore the market areas !! Too boring for me. But I was forced to give a second thought when Pooja, my friend, started singing praises about the wonderful handicrafts of Jaipur. While listening to Pooja, the arts and crafts of Jaipur became as irresistible as its monuments. Dara told us that the city has abundant markets, which sell excellent pieces of arts and crafts famous for their delicate traditional touches.

Pooja has a philosophy that shopping is all about judging the artistic worth of an item. On the request of Pooja and Monika, we first headed for the Rajasthan government emporium- 'Rajasthali'. The place is actually worth a visit. The best part there was the hand-woven saris and tie and dye clothing (also known as Bandhini). The emporium showcases jewellery, gems, semi precious stones, Kundan and Minakari work that are quite popular in the city. Somebody told us that the major jewellery stores are located in the Jauhari Bazaar, Jadiyon-ka-Rasta, Gopalji-ka-Rasta and Haldiyon-ka-Rasta. But instead of buying gold and silver jewellery, we preferred buying Lakh Jewellery, and therefore we moved for Maniharon Ka Rasta. I too bought a few items for my younger sister and my grandma.

We stopped near Hawa Mahal for lunch, where all of us relished the best of Rajasthani cuisine. The entire region of Hawa Mahal comprises of several shops that sell antiques like blue potteries, carpets, brass ware, leather footwear (especially embroidered Jutis), carpets, Kota doria saris, Sanganeri prints and hand block printed textiles. The items were a bit costly there. So we decided to go to the Nehru Bazar and Bapu Bazar to explore some more varieties and reasonable prices in those articles.

The workshops of tie-dye and block printing textiles and wooden crafts are also located at Sanganer and their chief stores are in Jahauri Bazaar, Badi Chaupar, Chaura Rasta and Tripolia Bazar. But due to shortage of time we could not visit these places. Our last shopping destination was the famous M I Road (Mirza Ismail Road). The shops there were loaded with good quality woolen carpets, hand block printed textiles, traditional miniature paintings, cotton rugs and embroidered Jutis. We consider ourselves very lucky that we planned for shopping on Saturday, otherwise most of the shopping places in Jaipur Rajasthan are closed on Sundays. While returning to the hotel, I was realizing that if I would not have joined everyone for shopping, I would have missed the most colourful and vibrant aspect of Jaipur.

Jaipur Monuments: Retaining The Age Old Rajputana Glory

Amber Fort, Jaipur-Rajasthan

A feeling of bravery and victory engulfs us as we talk about the Rajputs. The majestic forts and palaces of the Rajput Kings, and the stories of their wars have always fascinated me. After the first rain of the monsoon, the weather became quite pleasant and my six friends- Pooja, Monika, Shakeel, Tahir, Abhishek and Dara- asked me to visit Jaipur. Lucky is how I felt when all of a sudden I got an opportunity to visit my wonderland. We packed our bags and boarded the Ajmer Shatabdi train. In another four hours, we were in Jaipur- 'the cultural hub of Rajasthan'. After a heavy breakfast, we hired a guide and moved out to explore the city.

The stunning Amber Fort, built in white marble and red sandstone, was out first destination. Dara, being familiar to the place, told us that the construction of the Fort was started by Raja Man Singh I in 1592, but it was completed during the reign of Raja Jai Singh I. The crystal mirror image of the Fort in the Maotha Lake at its foreground, was the best part. Usually pronounced as Amer Fort, the structure has out of the world interiors that provide a soothing and warm ambiance. Dara then took us to the beautiful City Palace. Tahir had a dream to own a palace since his childhood, and he went crazy to see the grand structure of the City Palace. Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the palace covers a huge area that comprises of several gardens, courtyards and buildings. We paid short visits to the beautiful Chandra Mahal, Badal Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Mukut Mahal, Maharani's Palace and Shri Govind Dev Temple. The Maharani's Palace, made for royal queens, has now been converted into a museum, showcasing weapons dated back to 15th century. Besides, Diwan-I-Khas (a hall for private audience) and Diwan-I-Aam (a hall for public audience) are also open to the tourists.

We stopped for a quick bite at a restaurant, where Dara told us that the Jaigarh Fort and Nahargarh Fort are the antique forts quite close to Jaipur, which provide the spectacular views of the city. Our next destination was Jantar Mantar, the largest stone observatory of India built in 1724. Hats off to Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh who was so passionate for astronomy and numerology. There are several striking instruments like the Brihat Samrat yantra Sundial, which are purely made of stones or bricks, and were used to calculate the local and meridian pass time, the sun's declination, altitude, the declination of stars, planets and to determine eclipses.

Our last halt was the spell binding Hawa Mahal, the most easily recalled landmarks of Jaipur, built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799. This five storey building was built for the ladies of the royal household to watch everyday life in the market streets and processions in the city. Another stunning examples of Rajput architecture and artistry are the delicately honeycombed 953 sandstone windows (Jharokhas) of the Hawa Mahal. The day was quite tiring, but our fatigue vanished like a dream after reaching the ethnic village resort- 'Choki Dhani'. Located 18 km from the heart of the city, this place offers thatched cottages with all the modern facilities for its guests. We enjoyed the traditional Rahasthani dinner at the multi cuisine restaurant 'Bindola'. It was truly a remarkable trip to the monuments of Jaipur but I was still left with a lot to explore.

Peeping Into The History Through Delhi Museums

It was the last day of my Delhi trip. For me, it has always been a fun to read about history. And when Sam (my cousin) told me that we were going to visit the museums that day, my excitement knew no bounds. I was eagerly waiting for the history to be served before me with a visual delicacy of well preservation. Sam told me that Delhi is known not only for its magnificent historical monuments and shopping places but also for some of the best museums and galleries in the country. Some of these are dedicated to famous Indian personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Since my childhood, I have a craze to see the store houses for the cultural heritage of a country. Being an art lover, I certainly admire the splendid display of contemporary art.

New Delhi Rail Museum

We started our exploration with the National Rail Museum. Spread over 10 acres of land, National Rail museum has a number of locomotives that showcase the history of Indian railways. I quite liked the model of India's very first train, the oldest locomotive in the world that is still working, the Viceregal Dining Car of 1889, the Prince of Wales Saloon of 1875, Maharaja of Mysore's Saloon of 1899, and the Fairy Queen built in 1855. We also enjoyed the ride in the toy train that took us around the museum on a miniature rail track. We had a chilled soft drink to get rid of the scorching summer and then headed for Delhi Crafts Museum, Pragati Maidan. It is an amazing place that reflects India's rich tradition of handicrafts. The rarest artifacts and handicrafts here are collected from all over the country. Within two decades from its inception in 1956, the museum collected over 20,000 objects including the tribal and rural handicrafts. What I liked most in Crafts Museum was the Indian folk art, woodcarvings, paintings, paper- mache crafts, Tribal and Rural Craft Gallery and Textile Gallery.

We paid short visits to Shankar's International Dolls Museum and Gandhi Museum. The doll museum has one of the largest and finest collections of costume dolls from all over the world. It also includes scenes from various religious epics and freedom movements. I was completely overwhelmed to see the preserved personal relics, photographs, manuscripts, books, journals and documents and the audio-visual material related to Gandhiji in the Gandhi Museum. We had traditional north Indian food in lunch at Sagar Ratna Restaurant at Connaught Place. While having lunch, Sam told me that the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum and the Nehru Memorial Museum, Planetarium & Library are quite similar to the Gandhi Museum. They are also popular for preserving the personal belongings of the respective leader. Tourists also love to visit the famous National Museum of Natural History in Delhi, which is meant to promote environmental awareness and educate people about the immense importance of conservation. It has various galleries, paintings, books etc. regarding the issue.

Out last halt was the National Museum or 'Yadughar'. Located at a close proximity to the India Gate, the museum exhibits ancient pottery, rare coins, models of architecture, costumes etc. of various civilizations dating back to about 5000 years. On the whole, the museums in Delhi are good for entertainment as well as education. My visit to the museums of Delhi served as one of the best windows into the history, traditions, art and culture of the country.

Delhi Temples Tourism: Celebrating Spirituality

When two persons have different interests, it is quite difficult to choose a place to visit. My cousin, Sam insisted me to visit the religious places of Delhi on the third day of my trip. However, I hardly go to any temple, but when Sam told me that the temples in Delhi are true architectural wonders, I got ready in few minutes. Without having our breakfast even, we first hit the Cathedral Church of Redemption, located on Church Road that stands to the west of Parliament House. Built between 1927 and 1935, the church is a typical British structure with spotless beauty. Sam told me that the Cathedral of The Sacred Heart (at the Gol Dak Khana near the Connaught place) and the St. James Church (at the Kashmere Gate) are other equally important Catholic churches. Although the Christians are very less in number as far as population of Delhi is concerned, but these churches draw a number of devotees during festive seasons.

We then headed for the famous Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, near Connaught Place. Earlier a splendid bungalow of Raja Jai Singh Amber of Jaipur, this gurdwara is a highly revered place for both the Hindus and the Sikhs. It has a huge hall covered by a golden dome with a sculpted bronze cupola, that looks quite similar to the Golden temple of Amritsar. We were offered delicious 'halwa' in prasad, which was simply unbeatable. Sam told me that Delhi has a number of Sikh shrines like Gurdwara Rakab Ganj, Gurdwara Sis Ganj, Gurdwara Majnu ka Tila and Gurdwara Nanak Piao that are equally important and beautiful. The moment you enter any of these shrines you can hear the blissful 'Gurbani'. We stopped at the Hanuman Mandir (Connaught Place) for a quick bite, where I came to know that this temple was built by Maharaja Jai Singh along with Jantar Mantar in 1724.

Akshardham Temple, Delhi

After that we moved for the Akshardham Temple, which looks quite similar to the Akshardham in Ahmedabad. Made in Rajasthani pink sandstone, the temple has a Carrara marble platform with the presiding deity's panchdhatu (five-metal) statue (11 ft high). The temple is too big to explore on foot. I was surprised to see over 20,000 sculptures of animals, floral motifs, arches and exquisitely carved pillars. Apart from that, Birla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan Temple) and ISKCON Temple (Krishna Temple) were also fascinating. Another stunning structure was the Lotus Temple. Made in marble in the shape of lotus flower, this temple belongs to the Bahai sect, and is a peaceful place for meditation and relaxation.

Jama Masjid, Delhi

Our last halt was the famous Jama Masjid, in Old Delhi. Raised on the highest pedestal of Delhi, Jama Masjid is built of red sandstone and boasts of being the largest mosque in India. Facing the Red Fort, this was the last monument built by Shah Jahan (1650-1656). Muslims constitute about 12% of the population in Delhi, and there are a number of Muslim shrines here, namely Fatehpuri Masjid, Chirag Dihli Tomb, Nizam-ud-Din Auliya Tomb and Qutab Bakhtiyar Kaki Tomb. We had traditional north Indian food in the age old streets of Chandni Chowk. The temples in Delhi are simply the finest in India. I can surely call them the best in the terms of architecture.

History Tells Its Own Tale In Delhi's Monuments

That was a cool and pleasant morning in Delhi. While enjoying my tea with Sam, my cousin, in the balcony, I was quite excited to see the headline in the newspaper. It said that the Delhi Government had signed an agreement with INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) for protection and conservation of 92 monuments. Those monuments would get a facelift as part of the Delhi government's move to make them attractive from touristic point of view ahead of the Commonwealth Games. We had a quick shower and left for the historical monuments of Delhi, which are part of the heritage of India.

Our exploration started from the Humayun's tomb, a magnificent and marvellous structure of the Mughal Empire. Built in 1565 AD by Hamida Banu Begum (Humayun's widow), the structure is preceded by a tomb with blue dome made with Persian tiles. Along with the unique architecture and carvings, I was highly impressed with the well maintained huge garden. Another admiring monument was the 72.5 m high Qutab Minar, that boasts of being the highest monument in India. Sam told me that this tower was built to celebrate the victory of Mohammed Gauri over the Rajputs in 1192. Located near this might of Islam, is the 7.2 m tall Iron pillar (Ashoka Stambha), which stands tall unaffected by the test of time.

While passing through the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, we reached Jantar Mantar.I was overwhelmed to see this 1724 structure, which is known as the largest astronomic observatory of stone. Amazing and commendable work by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur. We stopped at Connaught Place for a quick bite, and then headed for India Gate, the identity of Delhi. I was aware with the fact that it was built in 1931 in the memory of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I. But this 42 m high, free standing arch with an eternal flame (Amar Jyoti), touched my heart. I could see the names of the soldiers inscribed on the walls of this monument. It was surrounded by several huge gardens and water pools. Sam told me that it serves as a favourite picnic spot of the locals and the tourists in the evening.

Our next halt was the majestic Red Fort that is situated on the banks of the River Yamuna. In a circumference of over 2.2 km, it was built by the Mughal emperor Shajahan with an aim of concentrating the Mughal power in one monument. I paid short visits to Naubat Khana, Diwan-e-Am, Mumtaz Mahal, Rang Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-e Khas, Hammam and Shah Burj, which are the major attractions. Our last halt was the citadel of Humayun- the Old Fort (Purana Quila). This 1583 structure has three gates - Humayun Darwaza, Talaqi Darwaza and Bara Darwaza, and an amazing two-storied octagonal pavilion in red sandstone. I enjoyed a spectacular sound and light show there. Visiting so many colourful aspects of this historical city was an out of the world experience. It was simply exploring India in miniature.

International Arts Festival: Colourful Element Of Delhi Tourism

Ralph Reichenbach & Doug Madill have rightly said, “Art strives to express; craft strives for excellence. Good art has good craft, good craft is artistic. Within every craft there exists artists. Within every artist there is craft”. And my good fortune sneaked me an opportunity to visit the International Arts Festival in Delhi. The capital city is undoubtedly the centre of attraction in terms of lifestyle, food, culture, festivals, media, technology, art, and almost everything. I, being an art lover, planned a four-day trip to the National Capital Territory of Delhi and flew to celebrate India's signature festival. Located on the banks of the River Yamuna, the city has been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC, according to archaeological evidence. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, Delhi houses about 1200 heritage buildings and 175 monuments as national heritage sites.

My cousin, Sameer, puts up at South Extension, one of the most happening areas of Delhi. He had promised to accompany me on the entire Delhi tour. Sam, that is how I call him, told me that the International Arts Festival is very helpful in establishing India as a global soft power and making it a destination of cultural tourism. This 24-day festival covers 35 segments, 72 venues and 2500 artistes. We first drove to the Crafts Museum (Pragati Maidan), which exhibited a rarest collection of 20,000 items of folk and tribal arts, crafts and textiles. I was quite surprised to see the expertise of the artisans in bronze images, lamps and incense burners, ritual accessories, utensils, wood and stone carvings, papier mache, ivories, dolls, toys, puppets and masks, jewellery, paintings, terracotta, cane and bamboo work and textiles from different regions of India.

Our next halt was FICCI auditorium, where we saw galleries of folk and tribal arts and craftsd, aristocratic objects, and traditional Indian textiles. I bought a few items for my mom and my brothers. We stopped for a quick bite at Connaught Place, the heart of Delhi. Sam asked me if I wanted to visit the popular art galleries like Triveni, Sridharani, Vadehra, Eicher, Lalit Kala Akademi, Max Mueller Photo Gallery etc. But I preferred going Dilli Haat, popular venue for crafts bazaars throughout the year. It is famous for offering almost all types of handicrafts, mementos, gifts and crafts of each and every state of India. While returning to home, our last halt was Kamani Auditorium, where we enjoyed various performing arts representing the range of classical dance forms and schools of music from all over India.

Delhi Tourism has served as the seat of empires for centuries, and therefore it is a major cultural center, attracting the best of painters, musicians and dancers. Sam told me that October to March is the 'cultural season' of Delhi and countless elements of this colourful and vibrant city were remained untouched. No worries, as I had enough time to explore all the historical, cultural and adventurous aspects of Delhi.