When is Holi Celebrated?

The festival marks the end of winter and beginning of spring. The day after the full moon in March each year. In West Bengal and Odisha, the festival falls on a day before. In some of the northern regions such as Mathura and Vrindavan, the festival is celebrated for a week long.

How is it celebrated?

At most of the places, people spend the day spreading colored powder and colored water on each other’s faces, having parties, having to get together, and dancing under water sprinklers. Many people consume drinks made from Bhang (AKA cannabis). In places, Mathura, Vrindavan, and surrounding areas, people celebrate the festival for over five days, during which along with throwing colors, ladies beat men with a stick. This is the festival full of fun, energy, and enthusiasm.

 Rituals of Holi

There is a story behind Holi. The word “Holi” has come from from “Holika”, the evil sister of demon king Hiranyakaship. Hiranyakaship was virtually immortal. Due to this power, he becomes arrogant and began to consider himself as god and asked everyone to worship him. However, Prahlada – Son of Hiranyakaship disagreed. He was the devotee to Lord Vishnu and continued to worship him only. So, in order to kill Prahlada, Holika – Prahlada’s evil aunt – tricked him into sitting on fire with her. As the fire roared, the cloak worn by Holika flew away from her and encased Prahlada. Eventually, Holika was burned, Prahlada survived. Therefore, the bonfire is the symbolic victory of good over evil. Holi is celebrated by burning of demoness Holika. On the eve of Holi day, a ritual named Holika Dahan, in which bon fire is created to burn away Holika and this process is believed to burn away all the negativity around. Along with this, a special puja is performed, people sing and dance around the fire, and walk around it three times.

In different parts of the country, this beautiful festival of colors is celebrated in different manners, however, the spirit remains the same. Holi is a very light-hearted festival that’s great fun to join. You’ll end up soaked in water, with colour all over your skin and clothes. Now-a-days, people use organic colours to play around during the festival. The whole idea is to have fun and saturate people with colours and love.

It’s a unique festival, which burns away the negativity and brings people closer. During this vibrant festival of colours, people forget about their grudges and pour their love in the form of colours. There is much more to the festival when is experienced.

Come, celebrate this vibrant festival of India. If you want to explore the amazing places where Holi is celebrated in a unique manner Destino’s India with being your partner to help you discover the Liveliness of this festival.

1. Ananda In The Himalayas,  Uttarakhand

Now, if you ever dreamt of playing golf in the lap of the Great Himalayas, this is the place that you would want to be. Located in the glorious state of Uttarakhand, this site not only offers you the best of golf environments but also provides you with extra activities like trekking and hiking. The golf course meanwhile is laid between the dense trees and the amazing mountain range. In short, this is the perfect way to play golf and relax.

2. Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Kolkata

Affectionately known as the ‘Royal’, this famous golf club was founded in 1829, making it the oldest golf club outside the British Isles. For being such an old and iconic venue, it is also called as the home of golf in India. If you value tradition and want to be a part of history, you should visit the Royal. The club has maintained its character over the years. Due to constant care that the club is given, it is now considered one of the best golf clubs in Asia.

3. Bombay Presidency Golf Club, Mumbai

Founded in 1927, as ‘The New Club Ltd’, the golf club was built on the reclaimed land belonging to the port trust. The history of the club is that it started as a rental arena but some land was purchased and eventually the leftover land was turned into Club House. Being the most prestigious club in Mumbai, the club came back into prominence after being redesigned and modified in the last decade.

4. Kaziranga Golf Resort, Assam

Now would you like to have a little game of golf after enjoying some wildlife safari, before you think it could never happen, have a look at Kaziranga Golf Resort. Situated in Assam, the golf course is beside the Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from playing golf at a world-class golf course in a beautiful landscape, you can also enjoy staying at well-constructed cottages and suites.

5. Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort, Uttar Pradesh

It is considered one of the best golf resorts in the country. Built over an area of almost nine acres, it is located in Greater Noida. With the world-class golf course, spread over a huge area, you will get the experience of playing golf like no other place can offer. The best rooms will be facing the open field and the lush greenery of the golf course. The resort offers some of the best spa treatments and also fine dining depending upon your mood.

6. Royal Springs Golf Course, Kashmir

Last but not in any way least, in fact considered as a jewel by some golfers, the Royal Springs Golf Course is located in Kashmir. The golf course lies between the beautiful forests and fruit orchids and makes you feel like a child again. The majestic golf course is neighbor with the famous Dal Lake while the Zabarwan mountain range surrounds it.

If you want to have the best experience of playing golf in India, these are some of the top golf locations that you should visit.

Let’s dig deep into what tourism heritage does the countries have!!

1. India

Must-do things

• Take a sunset/sunrise boat ride in the Ganga River in Varanasi to dive into the feeling of tranquillity and spirituality.
• Try out camel safari in the widespread desert and have authentic home-cooked meals whilst your Visit to Rajasthan
• Never miss your Visit to Delhi-Capital city of India to go back in time and yet stay connected to modernization.
• Grab your bike and go on the most motorable road and one of the best road Trips to Leh-Ladakh.
• Cruise the backwater and get rejuvenated with your Ayurveda Spa Treatments on your Visit to Kerala.

 2. Maldives

Must-do things

• At Per Aquum Niyama, enjoy a tradition dhoni sunset cruise with your family
• Party hard at Finolhu in Baa Atoll on its sandbank and pool areas.
• Pick up a new adventure activity every day of your visit
• Let live view of the marine life from your luxury stay or villas of stay
• Dine at the world’s first underwater restaurant at Conard Maldives Rangali Island resort.

3. Bhutan

Must-do things

• Become local- from opting your stay with the locals to experiencing its local food and drinks is a must to do while in Bhutan.
• Trek the tiger nest in Paro in central Bhutan for mesmerizing views and experiences
• Soak yourself in the mineral spring bath of Tshachu for some healing therapy
• Pay a visit to the Jigme Dorji National Park to explore the real flora and fauna.
• Soak in the breath-taking view of the Himalayan range or in that case Mount Everest.

4. Sri-Lanka

Must-do things

• Climb the world heritage site of rock top fortress named Sigiriya
• Head to the Uda Walawae National Park for some elephant site seeing.
• Pay a visit to the heart of Sri Lanka tea industry in the Haputale mountains.
• How can you miss out on the number one leopard sanctuary of Yala National Park?
• Make sure you visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy town.

5. Nepal

Must-do things

• Trek the Annapurna Sanctuary which is the paradise of trekkers.
• Relieve the history of Buddhism in a visit to pilgrimage sites of Lumbini and Sarnath.
• Go on an elephant safari in Chitwan National Park
• Enjoy boat ride in calm waters of Phewa Lake of Pokhara
• Give your thrilling side the edge by riding the water of Trishuli river close to Kathmandu                                      

Happy Tripping!!

Spending time in Coorg means you get to enjoy and explore all the fun it has to offer. Planning a Coorg trip means you need not draw out an itinerary. The undulating green hills amidst the blue bright skies make Coorg a true Scotland of India. The region is scenic and is renowned for its coffee in high-quality. However, this ultimate guide to explore Coorg reveals that food connoisseurs, nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, photographers, and culture vultures will also love to visit this place. There is nothing to stop from participating in interesting activities and here are a few best things that is worth doing in Coorg.
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At Dubare Elephant Camp, bathe elephants
Taking care and playing with elephants in Coorg is one of the fun activities. In Dubare, the elephant camp has a large herd of elephants and they allow you to feed, bathe, and also ride. This is a perfect place located ideally on the river bank and it allows to cool off during summers. Visit in May and enjoy doing the best things you never imagined of.

At the Golden Temple Experience Tibetan culture
Coorg in Southern India is the only place having a Tibetan settlement. A Tibetan monastery is locally referred to as the Golden Temple. The stalls surrounding this monastery have Tibetan foods such as thupka and momos.

Abbey Falls Photograph
Coorg is full of nature’s bounty and photographing is the best things in Coorg. The location of the milky waterfall is in a scenic plantation of coffee and spice offering a wonderful view making it an ideal choice for a photograph. Head to Abbey falls and take some good pictures.

Trek through the hills and jungles
The Western Ghats verdant dot Coorg that offers ample opportunities for trekking and hiking. Some treks include Kodachadri, Brahmagiri, Tadiandamol, Mullayanagiri, and Kumara Parvatha. Trekking in Coorg is ideal in winters as the forests are dry green and is an ultimate guide to explore Coorg..

Coorg Cuisine
Coorg cuisine is completely different. It is predominantly non-vegetarian and they make use of the forest produce local ingredients such as meat, rice-based products, and rice. Eating pandi curry or pork is the favorite in Coorg. However, the vegetarians can relish akki roti, koovaleputtu, and nool puttu.

Walking in a coffee plantation
Coffee bean picking in Coorg is the best things and being the largest coffee producer and so finding spice and coffee plantation is possible easily as it is spread all over. The season of coffee picking season is from November to January. This ultimate guide to explore Coorg is to explore the plantation through nature walks on Coorg.

Plan a trip to Coorg

Romantic places to visit on Valentine’s day in India

1. Kumarakom, Kerala

Spend on the quaint backwaters your valentine’s day in the pristine Kumarakom city. This is the most romantic places for Valentine’s Day in India. Make lasting promises with your lover in each other arms as the boat rows slowly through the lotus laden, smooth waters and scenic vistas of Southern India.  It is actually not an affair for a few hours, but you may spend the night in traditional houseboats featuring a sitting area, cozy bedrooms, and kitchenette and en-suite bathroom.

Tip: Prefer a private boat

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2. Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Amidst the stunning Western Ghats views and magnificent hills beauty, Ooty is the ideal place for couples on Valentine’s Day. The serene hill station and the chilly winds allow to cuddle in your partner’s warmth and to revel in the intimacy.

Tip:  Reach Ooty, by taking train and pass through the winding hills offering a glimpse of the romantic and beautiful views.

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3. Agra, UP

A couple at Taj Mahal will rediscover love at this epitome of romance. This is the wonderful places to visit on Valentine’s Day.  You may stay at The Oberoi Hotel and enjoy a lavish evening while basking in magnificent glory. This is one of the historical structures and do not miss the nearby Fatehpur Sikri.

Tip: Ensure to book in advance and enjoy flocking a visit on Valentine’s Day to Agra.

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4. Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir

Srinagar has snowy, white landscapes in Kashmir. There is snowball fight for the two to get into fun attacks and also to get entwined in the charm of each other making this Valentine’s Day the best. Stay abroad on Dal Lake and have a beautiful experience.

Tip: Do not miss on Dal Lake a shirkara ride and sunset views.

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5. Havelock, Andaman Islands

This is certainly a great place for a Valentine’s Day. The sand, the sea, and the sun have an appeal luring the lovebirds from all the places in the globe.  Havelock Island is a paradise for couples and is a preferred holiday destination for Valentine day celebration in India. You can walk on the golden beach sands with your beloved and walk through ups and downs of life.

Tip: This is the best places for Scuba diving in India, so be a part of this activity.

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6. Goa:

Goa is the right place for party lovers and beach bums. This is the best fun places on earth to enjoy valentines day. The scenic and old forts, Portuguese architecture offer many romantic settings to lose each other and to relive the passion.

Tip: For a more peaceful stay, prefer South Goa

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There are luxurious ways of having a nice time with your better half and it can include spa therapies and enjoying the royal ambience.

We will today list down 5 things which you should definitely do when you visit Kerala.

1. Elephant bathing:

Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary in Kerala provides you with the opportunity to give bath to an elephant. It is located at a distance of 42 km from Kochi. It is actually a very unique experience to have. The charges vary from Rs. 400 per person on the way up to Rs. 1500 per person. The charges depend on the length of the experience as well as the various activities involved in the experience.

2. Houseboat:

Houseboats in Alleppey are one of the most unique experiences which you can have. You will be staying in a floating hotel on the water. It is a small boat which is converted into multiple rooms in order to provide you with accommodation. You will be served various meals as well as snacks throughout the day as well. All the while, the houseboat will be sailing through the backwaters. A houseboat can easily accommodate an entire family. The cost of the houseboat can vary from Rs. 6500-Rs. 12,000. It is a good idea to book these houseboats in advance as they are in high demand during the tourist season.

3. Shikara Rides:

Shikara Rides in Alappuzha are one of the best ways to explore the backwaters. You will be able to check out the flora and fauna surrounding the backwaters as well. Additionally, you get to explore the local villages which are situated surrounding the backwaters as well. A double deck boat ride can last for up to 4 hours. Moreover, the cost is around Rs. 600 per hour. These are readily available when you reach Alappuzha.

4. Snake Boat races:

Snake Boat race in Alappuzha is another unique experience which you can have. These are held during the months from July to September. Also, they are held on the Onam day as well. Additionally, if you do not want to watch from the shoreline, you can even rent a boat to watch the race close by. This will ensure that you are always close to the snake boats which are racing as well. That is why it is a unique experience which you should think of participating in.

5. Treehouse accommodation:

Treehouse accommodation is available in various tourist locations in Wayanad, Thekkady, and Athirapally. Additionally, in all of these locations you can indulge in various nature walks as well as mountain biking and even rock climbing as well. The tariff of the treehouses often starts from Rs. 12,000 per night.

Thus, when you’re visiting Kerala for the 1^st time around, these are the 5 experiences which you should definitely think about having. These 5 experiences will actually help you in exploring Kerala in its entirety. Moreover, you will be able to have unique experiences which you cannot have in any other Indian state. This is the reason why these 5 experiences are a must have when you’re visiting Kerala.

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India:

India has the Himalayas in the north. In fact, multiple states in the north in India are flanked by the Himalayas. States right from Uttaranchal to Sikkim are flanked by the Himalayas. Thus, when you’re looking to explore the Himalayas in India, there are quite a few options which you can choose from. Moreover, each one of the states has multiple tourist attractions as well as hill stations which are situated in the Himalayas. This ensures that you are able to explore the tourist attractions as per your preference. If you’re looking for a quiet vacation, you can head over to any of the hill stations which are situated in the Himalayas. Some of these instructions include:

• Nainital
• Gangtok
• Kausani
• Mussoorie

You can choose between these hill stations quite easily when you are looking to explore the Himalayas in India.

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Nepal:

Nepal is nestled in the Himalayas. That is why, wherever you go right from the capital city of Kathmandu to the countryside, you will be able to explore Himalayas 1^st and. The best way to explore the Himalayas is to witness the peaks like Mount Everest. Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world and is part of the Himalayan range. That is why, when you’re looking to explore the Himalayas from Nepal, it is a good idea to go for the aerial view of Mount Everest or if you are mountain climber, you can even think about scaling the peak as well. There are various other peaks in Himalayan mountain range situated in April which you can think about climbing as well.

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Bhutan:

Bhutan is another country which is located in the Himalayas. Needless to say, there are plenty of peaks as well as mountains in the Himalayan ranges which you can witness from Bhutan. Also, one thing which you need to keep in mind is that Bhutan issues limited visas each and every year. This is the reason why you have to get the visa in advance. Moreover, there are plenty of trekking routes along the Himalayas in Bhutan as well. One such a route which is pretty famous with the tourist goes by the name of The Snowman Trek. It usually takes 25 days in order to complete the entire route. If you’re looking for shorter routes as well, there are quite a few options available. These will take you through the narrow emollient passes and allow you to witness the beauty of the Himalayas.

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Thus, whenever you’re looking to explore the Himalayan range, it is a good idea to explore it from any of these 3 countries. Each one of these provides you with access to the Himalayan range and to witness the enormous beauty of the Himalayan range.

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Travel options:

The best thing about Diwali is that on the 1^st day itself, most of the modes of transportation are sparsely filled. This ensures that if you want to travel to India, the 1^st day is one of the best options for you. Moreover, you will be able to easily get affordable tickets during this period of time as well. From the 2^nd and 3^rd day, however, the tourist the season begins. That is why, if you’re looking to travel during Diwali, the 1^st day is the one which you should be targeting.

What can you expect during the Diwali festival?

The festival of the Diwali however is a noisy period wherever you go. There is a ritual of bursting firecrackers during all the 3 days of Diwali. That is why you have to be ready for fireworks and firecrackers and a noisy atmosphere all around. Moreover, these are the 3 days when the pollution can increase significantly as well.

Safety measures to follow:

While generally, the atmosphere is pretty safe during Diwali but you need to keep in mind that in order to protect yourself from the high noise levels, ear plugs are always a better option. Also, it is a good idea to be aware of your surroundings all around; firecrackers are burst in the urban cities. That is why you have to move around pretty carefully. One thing however which you need to keep in mind is that the firecrackers are often burst during the evening and the night. Therefore, during the day you will be able to move around quite easily.

Things to keep in mind during Diwali:

Oftentimes, the local businesses are closed during Diwali. That is why it is a good idea to stock up the essentials ahead of Diwali.

In general, as long as you’re following basic normal commonsense while moving around in Diwali, there will be no problem at all.

This is one festivals which is celebrated all over the country in different ways.So if you are planning a trip to India during this time, keep a few days extra in your itinerary, so as to enjoy different faces of this beautiful, colorful and fun filled festival.  If you the safety measures in mind, you will surely be able to make your travel during Diwali memorable.

The festivities involve burning the effigies of demon Ravana. These effigies can vary from just 5 feet all the way up to 30 feet as well. These are burnt all over the country to mark the win of good over evil.

It is a festival which is widely celebrated all over the country. If you’re looking to travel on that particular day, you can expect the roads full of crowd all around. People often like to travel locally on this day as it is a national holiday as well. It is celebrated all over the country including the southern part of India. Thus, wherever you go you will be able to witness festivities.

Things for a tourist to take into account on the festival of Dussehra:

If you want to take part in the festivities, all you need to do is to just head over to any urban center. It is celebrated in almost all of the cities. There are however a few things which you have to keep in mind in the festival of Dussehra. These include:

• Be careful in crowded places:

The crowds can get enormous during this festival. That is why it is a good idea to stay on the fringes in order to ensure that there are no problems at all.

• Safety of your valuables:

In such crowded places, there are often various thefts which take place. That is why you have to always keep a watch on your valuables. This will ensure that you are able to keep them safe at all point in time.

• Experience the local delicacies:

As the crowds throng the various urban cities on this day, you are free to explore the local delicacies as well as there are plenty of kiosks which are set up by the locals in order to sell the local delicacies.

• Make travel arrangements in advance:

As it is a national holiday, there are a lot of tourists that will look to explore the country. That is why, if you’re traveling on the day of Dussehra, it is a good idea always to make the travel arrangements in advance. This will help you in getting confirmed tickets and ensuring that you are able to reach your destination on time.

Thus, if you want to participate in one of the most popular festivals of India, you should definitely experience it on the Dussehra day. You just need to keep in mind the above you tips which we have highlighted. With the help of these tips, it will become very easy for you to explore the Indian culture on this festival day which celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

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We will today shed some light on some of the most popular hill stations in southern India.

1. Coorg:

Coorg is located in a mountain range. As a result, the scenic beauty of the place is worth viewing. If you’re a nature lover, this is the hill station which you should definitely visit. There are plenty of accommodation options when you’re heading over to this hill station. Some of the tourist attractions which you should definitely visit include:

• Abbey Falls
• Talacauvery
• Nagarhole National Park

The best thing about this hill station is that it is still not fully commercialized. That is why you can easily relax when you visit the hill station and it is not thronged by thousands of crowds as well. That is why it is a calm and beautiful hill station which you can visit in southern India.

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2. Ooty:

Ooty is also known as the Queen of Hill stations. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in southern India. It is also a very popular honeymoon destination as well. It is surrounded by tourist attractions which are close to nature. As a result, if you want to experience a pleasant climate as well as be close to nature, this is the tourist destinations which you should definitely visit. Some of the tourist attractions which you can visit in this hill station include:

• Nilgiri Mountain Railway
• Ooty Lake
• Botanical Gardens

Ooty is a popular hill station which ensures that you will be able to get accommodation options in all budgets when you’re visiting this hill station. Moreover, it is well connected with the rest of India which ensures that reaching the tourist destination is also pretty easy.

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3. Munnar:

Munnar is situated between 3 different rivers. It is famous for the tea estates as well as for the natural flora and fauna which is on display when you visit the hill station. It is a lesser-known hill station which ensures that you will be able to explore it without thousands of other tourists. This is one of the main reasons why you should visit this hill station when you’re in southern India. Some of the tourist attractions of this hill station include:

• Rose Garden
• Echo Point
• Elephant arrival spot

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So, whenever you’re looking to explore the some of the mesmerizing views from the hill stations in southern India, these are the 3 stations which you should definitely visit. Each of these hill stations has its own charm and that is why they have become pretty famous all over India.

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