Tour booking for Konark Dance Festival

State : Orissa, Konark
Venue : Open Air Auditorium, Konark
Time of Celebration : 4th to 8th December

Konark Sun Temple, located at the distance of 65 km from Bhubaneswar, near the divine city of Puri, Orissa -popularly referred to as the 'Black Pagoda' is a impressive complex of black granite configured as the chariot of Surya (Sun God) drawn by seven exquisitely carved horses. The temple located on the popular Chandrabhaga Beach of Konark is a well known World Heritage Site. The elegant Natyamandap' of this 700 year old wonder is an architectural marvel beautified with well decorated sculptures in Odissi dance poses, often referred to as poetry carved in stone.

A well adorned open auditorium with the temple as a background is the venue of the Konark festival, a famed dance festival held annually in the month of December (4th to 8th December) displaying exotic array of traditional Indian classical dances from various parts of the country.

Konark Dance Festival was first organized in the year 1989 with the combined efforts from State government and financial assistance from Government of India. The main objective of the Konark Dance Festival is the promotion of Konark temple as well as Orissa is a popular tourists destination in India.

A host of illustrious classical dance from every part of the country perform in the open air auditorium. Among the much celebrated dance are Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, Chau, Kathak, Kathakali and Manipuri dance – a soothing feast for the eyes and ears. The rhythmic sound of flute, Pakhauj and Ghungroo boosts up your mood. There is also a handicraft mela conducted by the State Industry Department, as well as there is food from various part of the country.

Reaching Konark :
By Air : The nearest airport is Biju Pattanaik Airport 65 kms away from Bhubaneshwar
By Train : Bhubaneshwar (65kms) and Puri (35kms) are the nearest railway stations from Konark
By Road : There is regular bus service from Puri, Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar. Apart from that cars and auto-rikshaw are readily availble from Puri and Bhubaneshwar.

Aparana Chauhan

Read More

Chennai International Film Festival 2009

When is Chennai International Film Festival : would have a cash component of Rs.1 lakh and a trophy.

This December Chennai is going to host 7^th edition of International Film Festival, which will have tough competition for Tamil movies. The festival is wholly organized by Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation. The last date for receipt of enteries from Tamil movies was November 5. All the Tamil Films produced and censored between December 15, 2008 and October 15, 2009 are held eligible for competition.

Entry forms are available at Chennai International Film Festival, E Block, Second Floor, Room No 4, Gemini Parsn Apartments, Cathedral Garden Road, Chennai 600006. According to E Thangaraj, general secretary of the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation, the best film will will receive a cash prize of Rs.3 lakh and an ICAF trophy. The second prize is of Rs 2 lakh along with th trophy. There is also a special jury award thatwould have a cash component of Rs.1 lakh and a trophy.

So far 135 movies are ready to be screened and 30 more are said to be added in the coming few days. Films from China and Taiwan and other European countries will take a major share during the nine day festival.

Aparana Chauhan

Read More

Hornbill Festival – Nagaland

When is Hornbill Festival Celebrated : 1^st week of December (annually)

Venue : Kohima Nagaland in India

Celebrated by : Tribes of Nagaland

Nagaland – popularly referred to as the land of 'Naga' tribe is also the land of exotic fair and festivals with one festival followed by another all through the year. This is promised through cultural entertainment which is worth experiencing. In order to ease travelers to take a glimpse of all the Naga fair and festivals celebrations at a common venue at one time, the Government of Nagaland organizes 'Hornbill Festival' on the annual basis in the first week of December at Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland.

The Hornbill Festival aims at preserving and sustaining the rich historical traditions and heritage of Nagaland. The people of Nagaland celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm and spirit. Most of the population in Nagaland is dependent upon agriculture and hence most of celebration revolve around agriculture. These festivals are considered as extremely auspicious and so the participation in these festivals is mandatory.

Nagaland is a home to 16 different tribes namely the Angamis, the Aos, the Chakhesangs, the Changs, the Konyaks, the Kacharis, the Kukis, the Sumis, the Lothas, the Pochurys. Nagaland festival calender is filled with number of tribal fair and festivals throughout the year.

Hornbill Festival Attractions : The festival is marked with traditional dances, folk music, ethnic art and craft and exciting series of games. Local handicraft are the major highlight of the festival. Hornbill is the name of a globally famed bird that shows up in the folklore of various state’s tribes. The festival ties all of Nagaland in one elephantine color splashed melange of performances and demonstrations. On the eve of this auspicious occasion Naga tribe represent their cultural art in the form of wood carvings, sculptures and paintings.

How to reach Kohima Nagaland :

Airports : Dimapur (74 km) is nearest airport which is air linked with Calcutta.

Railheads : Dimapur also serves as the nearest railhead, and is connected with some major cities of India.

Road Transport : By road, Kohima is accessed by National Highway 39. Kohima is well connected by this road from Dimapur

Aparana Chauhan

Read More

Book Tour for Sunburn Festival Goa 2009

Venue : Candolim Beach Goa India

When is Sunburn Festival 2009 : 27 December (3 days)

Sunburn Festival ‘Goa 2009’ is the Asia’s biggest Electronic Fest which annually organizes the best global talent from (Holland, India, Ibiza, Austria, France, Australia, UK, Sweden and Singapore) in India to entertain and promote a sense of oneness and harmony with the richness of music and Dance.

Sunbun Goa 2009 has 35 local and international DJ’s spinning in Goa, at the popular Candolim beach. There is no specific dress code. No parade is going to be organized by the heads. The music is completely trance i.e. Electronic music. Every year more than 5000 people from all over the world gather at Candolim beach to be a part of this grand event.

Sunburn, a common platform to world’s best Disc Jockeys (DJs), aims to bring best talent at the world’s most preferred tourists destination – Goa. It is counted amongst the world’s best 20 international music festivals and is definitely worth a visit.

Highlights of Sunburn festival 2009 :

Sunburn 2009 has an impressive line-up of domestic and international DJs including:
>>Armin Van Buuren
>>Roger Sanchez
>>Gatecrasher feat John Fleming and Friends
>>Jalebee Cartel
>>Arno & Norman
>>Sied Van Riel
>>Sultan
>>Sanjay Dutta
>>Nawed Khan
>>Greg Pidc**k
>>Janux
>>Tatva Kundalini
>>Clement
>>Pearl
>>Ma Faiza
>>Tuhin
>>Vachan Chinnappa
>>BLOT
>>Baba Robjin
>>Karan Bhoj
>>DJ Jayant
>>DJ Ajit
>>Shy-o

Aparana Chauhan

Read More

Tour Booking for Rann Utsav Kutch 2009 – Gujarat (Ahmedabad) India

India A superfluity of varied hues, richness of culture and design, profoundness of dance and music, all together in the desiccate land of Kutch creates the mosaic of extreme beauty which portrays the true colors and identity of the region. Kutch, one of the most sustainably ecological and culturally diverse region of the state is celebratory land of traditionally rich art and craft, dance, music and warm hearted people. Every year during the full moon night of the winters amidst the most fascinating and strikingly contrasting landscape a three day long festive entertainment brimming with heartiness, joy and cultural flavor of the area is hosted, popularly known as the Kutch festival or (Rann Utsav Kuch) Rann Mahotsav.

This three day extravaganza conducted at various locus within the Kutch state one around the natural grandiose while introducing the traveler to the ethnic culture and indigenous flavor of the people. Semi scorched grasslands of the Banni entertains the most fascinating display of vernacular jargon architecture as the exhibition platform for the altered range of art and craft of the region. While an exotic array of traditional music and folk dance performances organized in the glistening moonlit landscape calls for the most bewitching experience for the visitors. The various colorful fairs hosted besides the lake and the beach jive one with the spirit of excitation, festivity and floridness while the organized trip around the Kutch is an perfect occasion to be part of region and feel the uniqueness of the age old traditions and diversity tribal art and craft launched on such a huge scale with the initiative of Government of State and Tourism Industry.

When is Rann Utsav 2009 :

In the month of December on the full moon night

Calendar for Rann Utsav Kuch 02nd to 04thDecember 2009 (Wed-Fri) 19th to 21stDecember 2010 (Sun-Tue) 09th to 11thDecember 2011 (Fri-Sun) 28th to 30thDecember 2012 (Fri-Sun) 15th to 17thDecember 2013 (Sat-Tue)

Organized By: TCGL.

Venue of Rann Mahotsav Rann Of Kachchh, Gujarat ( Bhuj city )

Tourists of Rann Utsav : Every Year more than 9000 tourists from all around the world come to be part of this grand celebration at Kutch. This is one occasion when natives and tourists along with Government administrative officers gather altogether to celebrate the mystical magic of the state.

Nearby Destinations : Bhuj

Attraction of Festival : Handicraft, traditional dances, folk music, Desert Safari, Visit to wildlife sanctuary, Camel Safari, Live-in -Tents, Musical Moments etc

Aparana Chauhan

Read More

Sidi Dancers – The Lost Africans of India

Sidi Goma – the lost tribe of Africa, still exists in India. The most prominent feature of these Negroid tribe is their curly caespitose hair. They are very fond of wearing junk jewelery and designing their faces with different colors. The Sidi dancers are actually the African Sufis of Gujarat who served as slaves to the rajah's and maharajah's of the 13^th century. Slowly with the time, they lost their culture, traditions, language and the knowledge of their country's content. However they have kept alive certain African attributes and some of their cultural rites and rituals of worship.

Today there are around thirty thousand Sidi's in Indian residing in Junagadh district of Gujarat and primarily in Jambur deep within the Gir Wildlife forests – home to the largest population of Asiatic Lions. Sidi's mainly worship African Sufi saint called Bara Gor who was also known as Sidi Mubarak Nobi. The term Sidi is derived from the word ‘Saiyed’ meaning the descendant of the Prophet Mohammad. Surprisingly, they are not aware of their native language and their only cultural link to Africa is through the dance, music and certain cultural practices. They use African derived movements, rhymes and instruments.

Their performance is happy and high spirited dance sequence, yet mythological as it is dedicated to Baba Gor. Very often in their lyrics they use the word lahar/mauj which Baba Gor used to describe ecstasy and joy of the sea voyage on the way to India. They dis this as nomadic fakirs, accepting contribution for their bringing of the dance from village to village. They pledge of poverty to exhibit their devotion and dedication.

One of their popular dance prayer is zikr. Virtuostic drumming accompanies rapturous dancing that is nimble and lively.It increases and intensifies rhythmic music becoming more and more phrenetic. Animal Mimicry is quite popular Sidi's. They love to wear costumes made of peacock feathers instead of ostrich ones that their ancestors might have used in Africa.

The groups' lyrics recounts Islamic history and praises Prophet Mohammad though the musical forms of dhamal, baithi and qawwali. By various plays and dance, the Sidi's eulogises and celebrate lehar/mauj. The Sidi's perform with four lead drummers and eight dancers and singers who play and perform zikr, a tribute to saint Baba Gor.

Aparana Chauhan

Read More

Siddha

Siddha is one of the alternative system of medicines originated in India thousands of years ago. It is infact considered as the oldest medical systems in the universe. The term Siddha is the Tamil word which means 'one who is accomplished' and refers to 'Siddhars' – the saintly persons who according to the Hindu belief have surpassed ahamkara (ego), have repressed their minds to be subordinate to their awareness and have modified their bodies composed mainly of dense Rajo tama gunas into a different kind of bodies dominated by sattva. This can actually be achieved by those who have been practicing meditation for centuries.

Siddha is considered as the crown of all traditional system of medicines. Unlike Ayurveda, Siddha also deals with the spiritual path of discipline, which aims at mastering the mind and senses through various practices and teachings. Though it originated thousand of years ago, but it is totally reliable and appropriate for present day society, where so many people suffer from depression and stress related condition which conventional medicines has been unable to solve.

It's logical approach to living and health is combined with philosophy, psychology and spiritual guidance. According to Siddha's teachings if humans do not live their lives according to the right principles of mind and body, than it can create imbalance in the body that can cause sufferings and diseases.

Siddha medicine revitalizes the body by maintains the ratio of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. It does not involve any artificial chemicals or the use of drugs, so it is completely safe. Siddha was initially initiated by Siddhars to make the body strong and powerful that is unaffected by the diseases, old age or even the death.

This traditional system of medicine is capable of treating almost all type of diseases. It is found effective in treating the liver problems, diabetics, skin diseases especially “Psoriasis”, rheumatic problems, anaemia, prostate enlargement, bleeding piles and peptic ulcer.

Since Siddha aims at disciplinary lifestyle, so it is very necessary to abide consumption of drugs, smoking and alcohol that can weaken your lungs and liver respectively.

Read More

Exploring Mount Everest

Geographical Location : Mount Everest is the rocky snow cladded peak of the Himalayas. It is located on the Nepal Tibet border and stands at the height of 29, 028 feet. It is the highest mountain in the world.

Mount Everest is popularly known as 'Sagarmatha' meaning Goddess of the Sky in Nepal and 'Chomolungma' meaning Goddess of the Universe in Tibet. People of the Khumbhu valley also call it Jomolangma, as according to them, a goddess, one of the five sisters of long life resides here.

Mount Everest the highest mountain in the world, is named after Sir George Everest, the surveyor general of India. It made its presence known on earth over 60 million years ago. The first expedition to the Mount Everest was made in the year 1924, since than several attempts were made to the summits. The expedition till now has taken more then 400 lives. It was declared as the world's tallest mountain in 1852.

Mount Everest : From 1830 to 1843 Sir George Everest, the Surveyor General of India, made attempts to record the location of the the Everest. In the year 1856, Andrew Waugh identified Mount Everest to be 8840 meters high. Than exact after the 10 years, in 1865 Peak XV, was renamed as Mt. Everest in the honour of Sir George Everest.

Later on in the 19th century George Mallory and Andrew Irvine attempted the summit. The men were last seen heading towards the top of Mount Everest but thereafter they were completely engulfed by the clouds. In the year 1999, Mallory's body was found, but no such evidence, that could reveal weather they completed their journey to the Everest or not.

The first ones who broke all the records and reach the top of Mount Everest, were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, who received immense popularity overnight. Another most interesting historical record was made in May, 1978 by Habeler and Messner who made the heroic effort to reach the top without using any supplemental oxygen. More than 600 climbers from 20 countries have climbed to the summit by various routes.

Trekking and Hiking : Mount Everest is the never ending adventure for the trekkers lovers and hikers too. Trekking at Mount Everest is quite a challenging one. You may face several difficulties while climbing, so you need to be physically fit and fine. The trekking route provides you the most beautiful sceneries and unparalleled views, which are quite amazing. The most appropriate time to trek the base camp of the Mount Everest is pre- monsoon springtime and post monsoon autumn.

Wildlife Exploration : Explore the exotic flora and fauna of the Mount Everest. You can make a visit to the popular Sagarmatha National Park, declared as the world Heritage Site in 1979. The park is known for its rare species of snow leopard and red pandas. Juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo and rhododendron contribute to the rich floral system of the park. The main attractions of the park include musk deer, wild yak, Himalayan black beer, langur monkeys, hares, mountain foxes, Himalayan wolves and red panda.

Birding :The Sagarmatha National Park is also the birding paradise. You can carry the pair of binoculars to engage in Bird watching. It is home to 118 species of birds. The most important among them include Danphe, Blood Pheasant, Red billed chough and Yellow billed chough. Sagarmatha is one of the most beautiful place you will find on earth.

Visit to Khumbu Valley :The Khumbu valley mostly inhabited by the Sherpas, has marvelous, incomparable beauty. Beautifully surrounded by the snowy peaks, the valley is the zenith of natural beauty. The people in the valley are quite religious, who have been following Tibetan Buddhism from generations. The people here are engaged in various occupations such as trekking, mountaineering, portering and other religious practices.

Read More

Kerala Backwaters, Rajasthan eclipse Taj Mahal as dream Destination

Rajasthan with its ornate palaces and impressive havelis amidst the glorious sand dunes and the pristine backwaters of Kerala have obscured India's iconic Taj Mahal in an international survey that was that rated the top most 133 tourists attractions all around the globe.

The survey was conducted by National Geographic Society's Center for sustainable eco locations, has published in the latest issue of Traveler Magazine.

Rajasthan has been declared as the world's 19^th dream destination; while beautiful backwaters of Kerala has been rated 23^rd.

The Taj Mahal – 'Seventh Wonder of the World' along with Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri have been alloted 30^th place in the survey.

One of the panelists opined that Rajasthan looks like Tuscany, a region in north central Itlay known for its landscapes and its artistic bequest.

As per the survey reports, Rajasthan has a "strong sense of cultural identity" and "remarkable appeal and mystique".

However, the survey expressed its concern about the tourism benefits not reaching the local communities.

"Improved tourist facilities fuelled an eight-point jump from five years ago, though concerns remain that tourism benefits are not reaching local communities," it said.

The lakes, rivers and canals in the southern Indian state of Kerala, "on which visitors ply aboard houseboats, present a unique travel and cultural experience".

However, the survey said "the number of boats is not so large" that environmental degradation is feared.

The survey said, Agra, the host of three iconic World Heritage sites - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri - is "in dire need of environmental planning".

"Things are getting better for these historic sites mainly through the hard efforts of local heritage protection activists."

Read More

Fatwa issued against 'Vande Mataram'

Jamiat-e-ulema Hind (JEU) has passed a fatwa against 'Vande Mataram' - the national song of India, citing that some verses in the song is against the tenets of Islam. The decision was taken in Deoband National convention meet held on Tuesday, Nov 3 in which the JEU leaders and the organisers of the event urged Muslims not to sing ' Vande Mataram'.

The issue of Fatwa also found a strong support from Rajya Sabha MP Mahmood Madani who is reported to have objection to some of the lines in the patriotic song.

The meeting which was covened as part of the ongoing meeting between Muslim Scholars of different schools to discuss the exclusiveness of Islam and terror of Jihad turned into a debate between a section of scholars on whether or not a fatwa has to issued on the patriotic song.

Aparana Chauhan

Read More