Celebrating Yoga at its Birthplace

India is fast becoming popular as the ‘Land of Yoga’ rather than being that old world ‘Land of snake charmers’.  With the increasing popularity of yoga, the motivation for many people around the world to visit India has started shifting from just sightseeing to spiritual and physical discovery. More and more people are now visiting the country to learn more about the traditions of this holistic wellness method. Instead of visiting the Indian attractions such as Kerala, Goa and others, they are visiting ashrams in search of a more unique spiritual experience.

Among the leading yogic destinations of the country, Uttaranchal is the land of Ayurvedic health system and the ancient science of Yoga. In fact, Rishikesh is the yoga capital of the world. It has various ashrams that offer short to long terms courses on yoga, meditation and Hindu philosophy. The place attracts thousands of tourists every coming year who come here wanting to escape from the humdrum and fast pace of the modern life. The relaxed pace of these ashrams and the serene environment in which they impart this wellness regime is a world away from all the daily chores and other modern day impediments that fill our day. Located in the Garhwal region of north India, Rishikesh is a major holy attraction that is always crowded with matted hair sadhus and pilgrims from all over the world at any given time of the year. The various ghats and temples that are speckled all over the city are a different world altogether where the only endeavor of human spirit is to be one with the almighty.

Yoga tourism is today an increasingly growing niche travel area. In order to visit these ashrams, you need to send intimations to the ashrams in advance so that you get the best when you arrive. There is also an International Yoga Festival organized by UP tourism every year from February 2^nd to 7^th that you can visit. This festival offers you an opportunity to practice various styles of yoga from masters of internationally well known yoga schools and styles. Participants in the same are also guided by the blessed presence and divine presence of spiritual masters and revered saints from all parts of India.

So, come experience yoga as never before at the place where it all started….India!!!         

Unusual Interesting Facts about Incredible India

Even though India is fast becoming one of the most talked about countries of the world, there are still many things that you may not know about this place. So, come let us take you on a tour of an India that seldom comes forth in the news, one that is weird, unique and interesting at the same time.

•    Have you ever heard of a living bridge that has not been built but has grown on its own??? Come to Cherrapunji in Meghalaya and you will get to see a bridge made entirely out of roots of the trees. Some of these root bridges are over a hundred feet long and are exceptionally strong enough to hold over fifty people or more at a time. One special bridge is considered to be one of the only kind in the world. It is, in fact, two bridges stacked over each other and is now popular as ‘Umshiang Double Decker Root Bridge’.

•    News Flash: ‘Sea disappears before our eyes’!!! In Orissa on the Chandipur beach, the sea vanishes right in front of your eyes. Whenever there is a low tide, water recedes back about 5km leaving a plain stretch of land where the sea once was. In fact, it is this phenomenon that has earned the place the name of ‘Hide and seek beach’.

•    Just around 18kms from Jaisalmer lies the cursed Kuldhara Village. Once a very lively village of Paliwal Brahmins, the place now lies abandoned with not even a single habitant. On a single night in 1825, all the village residents as well those living in the adjoining 85 other villages for reasons best left to legends.

•   The Vishnu temple of Tirupathi down south is not one of the but THE largest religious pilgrimage destination of the world. Built in the 10^th century, the place is larger than Mecca or Rome and has an average of over 30,000 visitors visiting everyday donating $6 million dollars together. 

•  Located in the Tamenglong district of Manipur are the historic Thalon Caves, a historical attraction providing evidence of the Hoabinhian culture in India. There is something unusual about the caves that are located over 910m above sea level. Even as you are entering the same, you will get the feeling of venturing into another world that is dark, unknown and dangerous…

• Visit the world’s first granite temple at Tanjavur, tamil Nadu, in the form of the famous Brihadeshwara Temple. Built between the period of 1004 AD and 1009 AD, the shikhara of the temple was built from one single 80 tonne granite piece. This magnificent piece of art was built in a period of just five years during the Rajaraja Chola’s reign.  

• World’s highest cricket ground has been built right here in Chail, an Indian district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, at a height of 2444 meters above sea level. The pitch was built way back in 1893 after leveling a hilltop!!!

Indian Food Tourism

India: The Perfect Culinary Destination

Unlike the heavy rose and jasmine scents in the warm air, the Indian aroma is an unforgettable one. The place is home to some of the best multidimensional and eclectic cultural mix that has truly resulted in a variety of delightful food traditions. There is no dish that can be termed as the perfect symbolization of India itself as the country is full of regional culinary traditions that together form the Indian food culture.

The variety of Indian food is enough to make even the most colorful of the pictures seem bland in front of it. It is both fiery as well as aromatic at the same time, especially due to the spices used during the preparation of these gastronomical delights. In fact, the term ‘curry’ has today assumed unimaginable proportions as a true Indian dish for most of the English countries. These so called curries come in all forms and tastes all across India depending upon the region you are visiting. It may be fiery red down south a mellower orange up north while on the western side you may find it leaning more towards the color of sunflowers. Be prepared for the chilly shock as and when you taste the same curry in the north eastern side of India whose chilies are said to be among the most potent ones of the world. Like the palette of an artist, an Indian kitchen is full of as many as twenty five spices used as per the directions and taste of the cook.

For all of you who love to sample vegetarian stuff and are a perfect vegetarian, India is the place where you will get to sample more vegetarian dishes you could find in whole Europe. The sweets too are something that need to be tasted to be truly experienced for their culinary delight and taste. Whether it’s a ‘kulfi’ or a ‘jalebi’ you will find your sweet tooth asking for more of these gastronomical wares. In addition to this, you will find an abundance of both the temperate and the tropical fruits here such as the apricots, watermelons, mangoes, strawberries, pomegranates and many others along with other western confectioneries.  To complete your food journey, do not forget to sample the ‘Paan’, a betel leaf wrapped with spices such as cardamom and aniseed.    

Indian food journey is so vast and countless, that it can hardly be kept shackled just into the kitchens. Available right on every street corner is some irresistible snack houses that offer great spicy food at inexpensive rates. However, caution needs to be taken by people sampling these for the first time as it can turn even the most seasoned foodie’s stomach upside down!!!! Given these delights, it is no wonder that Indian food is one of the most of popular cuisines of the world. So, take your savory glands on the most delightful gastronomical vacation they have ever been on !!!!