Elefantastic in Jaipur

Jaipur is the royal city of the state Rajasthan. Soil of the Jaipur is full with aroma of royal life of kings and their culture. It is renowned for its beautiful palaces, Rajput’s forts, havelis and historical places. Jaipur is the most attractive place for international and domestic tourist. It has a great collection of fantastic things which gives amazing experience to every visitor.

Elefantastic Farm, Jaipur

Jaipur is also famous for Elefantastic, is lies in the depths of the jungles and on the peaceful hilltops. It is a wide and beautiful farm area, which is famous as a natural habitat of elephants and for elephant ride. It is located in the Amber, is the small and elegant town located 1 km from the Amber Palace. This beautiful place is the shelter of 24 elephants. There are 23 female elephants and only one male elephant live as a family.
It will be an amazing experience that you will visit royal city Jaipur by royal ride of elephant. You can explore complete area of this place .Your visit start from the warm welcome by the team of elefantastic and elephants. The elephant safari starts before sunset and end after dark. They will prepare your royal ride, wash the elephants, feed and water them. There is a huge gallery and collection about the elephant decoration. Colors, designs and traditional way of elephant decoration are really very fascinating and great of attraction of your visit.

Washing the Elephants in Elefantastic, Jaipur

After the traditional and delicious lunch, wonderful elephant ride will start with elephant rider or tourist guide. This trip starts from the visit of the jungle area.The area of Elefantastic is full with wild animals. This wonderful tour starts from the visit of aroma of nature, chippering of birds and sound of many wild animals. Golden birds, Black Shouldered kite, Peacock and Asian Paradise Flycatcher are the beautiful birds of this farm area. It is also home of the wild animals like Leopard, Wolf, Hyena, Jackals and Antelopes and Tigers. It is really very adventurous and exciting that you are on the elephant safari and Tigers just roaming around you.

The Elephant Safari

After the complete tour of jungle area you will go for Amber fort, is like a magnificent palace, built from golden yellow, white marble and pink sandstone and it is divided into four major sections with big courtyard. You will enter into Amber fort by the elephant ride through Suraj Pol which leads to the Jaleb Chowk, which is main courtyard of the fort. Elephant riders are also good guide they explain each and everything to the tourist about Amber fort. It is very fantastic that you will visit a wonderful fort, which is a marvelous epitome of the royal ness of kings through a royal elephant ride. Full visit of Amber fort and Amber village through elephant safari really gives you an amazing experience.
In the evening, there is the arrangement of camp fire and camps. Many traditional and culture program make this trip colorful and unforgettable. Elefantastic trip is one of the amazing and most renowned in Jaipur area. Enjoy this wonderful, royal and different trip of Jaipur.

Durga Puja-The Real Sole Of Hindus

This is the time when hot summer completely says goodbye and a pleasant wheather arise in India. End of the September brings delight, hopes, joy and happiness in Indian. It is the time when festival knocks the door of Indians. Magical colors of festivals are the breath of India. Festival time is starting for the divine nine days that are known as Navratra or Durga Puja. Durga Puja is celebrated by the all parts of the society of India whether it is slum area or a royal street.

Durga Puja is celebrated in all over the India with different custom and style. Durga Puja is the nine days festival during these nine day people offering worships and fast of nine days.These nine days people enjoy very much with the divine feeling of trust and faith on spiritual power.

It is believe of Hindus that goddess Durga emerged from energies of the  most powerful Hindu gods and the supreme trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma to vanquish the evil demon Mahishasura who never be defeated by any powerful man or god.In the ancient and divine language of India ,Sanskrit the meaning of Durga is “the inaccessible” or “the impenetrable”. Goddess Durga regarded as the Parvati.wife of Lord shiva. People worships of the goddess Durga idols .The goddess Durga idols is the idol of very beautiful and powerful woman with a third eye on her forehead, carrying weapons in her ten hands and riding on the lion.

“Sindur Khela” at Durga Puja in West Bengal

Durga Puja is widely celebrated in the various Indian states of  Bihar ,Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tripura Manipur, and West Bengal, where it is a five-day annual holiday. In Tripura and West Bengal,which has a majority of Bengali Hindus, it is the  festival of the year. Not only is it the Hindu festival celebrated throughout the nation, it is also the most valuable socio-cultural event in Bengali society. Apart from eastern India, Durga Puja is also celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kashmir, Kerala and Karnataka.

 

Devotees immerse the idols of Goddess Durga in the Hooghly river in Kolkata

Kolkata is widely renowned for its fish market and Durga Puja. The traditional city Kolkata enjoys most during the Durga puja. The whole Kolkata city will be decked out like a beautiful new bride. Lights, colors, songs and dance spread fragrance of joy in this city. Durga Puja is the most divine and precious festival of the Bengalis.

Durga Puja celebration in Gujarat

In Gujarat, Durga Puja is celebrated in spectacular color of joy. Dandiya Dance or Garba dance makes this festival awesome. Gujarati People enjoyed a lot this time of a festival with the charm of Dandiya dance. Devotion, colorful Pandals (temporary place of worships during festival), traditional dresses, devotional songs and delicious dishes are the attraction of this festival.

It has been listed as the biggest festival in Asia, in terms of devotion,  money as well as the number of people involved in putting together the spectacular show. The real charm of Hindu religions, culture, beliefs, colors of Indians only can see during the Durga Puja.

Now it’s the time when Hindu people waiting and starts the frenzy preparation of this delightful festival.The festival time of Durga Puja starts from the last week of  September to till 4 first week of the October onwards.

Kanwar Yatra-An Incredible Journey Devoted To The Lord Shiva

Kanwarias -On The Way

Kanwar or KanvarYatra is an annual pilgrimage or a festival of Lord Shiva devotees. Devotees from different parts of country visit to Gangotri , Gaumukh and Haridwar. They cover a large distance by walking barefoot and bring the holy water Ganga from these sacred places. The devotees who are a part of this divine Yatra (journey) are called as Kanwarias. This name is derived from word ‘Kanvar’. Kanwar or Kanvar means a single dedicated pole with two ends and each end hanging two pots to carry water. It is generally carried on the shoulder.

The Yatra takes place throughout the sacred month of Shravan (Saavan) (July -August), in keeping with the Hindu calendar.

Kanwar

The purpose of this Yatra is to bring the holy water of Ganga from pilgrimage places like Haridwar,Gangotri and Gaumukh. This sacred water of Ganga is brought back to their native villages or city and offered to the Lord Shiva’s linga in the local temples. Pouring of water on the divine linga of Lord Shiva is known as Abhishekam. Saffron clad Kanwarias dedicate whole monsoon season to the worships of Lord Shiva. There is a rule for Kanwar Yatra , Kanwariyan can not put their Kanwars on the earth.

Kanwarias with Ganga Water Pots

Kanwarias With Decorated Kanwars

A Lady Carrying Kanwar

Kanwarias At Bank Of The Holy River Ganga

Now a days devotees are traveling to a nearest place by vehicle, and then starting the rest Yatra on foot from there. Those who are terribly far away from Haridwar ,Gangotri ,Gaumukh or other big pilgrimage take up the Yatra to a local river or pond and fetch the water in their Kanwar and then offer to the Ling of the Lord Shiva.

There are many mythologies which are related to the Kanwar Yatra.Some mythologies are here:

• Kanwar Yatra started by the Lord Rama in Treta Yuga.when Lord Rama had brought the holy water of river Ganga in the Kanwar from Sultanganj and poured that on the Ling of Lord Shiva at Babadham.
• When the Samundra Manthan (churning of the oceans) took place in the month of  Sawan and fourteen amazing things came out then thirteen of them were divided among the demons, deities and demigod except the dangerous poison i.e. known as Halahal.For the saving of all Lord Shiva drank the poison and stored that in his throat thereafter all gods offered the holy and cold water of river Ganga to Lord Shiva to reduce the bad effect of poison. This Manthan was happened in the month of Sawan, since then the devotees started Kanwar Yatra to offer the holy water of Ganga to the Lord Shiva.
• It is also a believe that demon king Ravana also brought the holy water of river Ganga from Haridwar and furnished to Lord Shiva at the local Shiva temples.

A Kanwaria Touching the Wall Of Temple

Linga Of Lord Shiva(Shivlinga)

This year,the Kanwar Yatra 2014 has started from 13 July. It is the sanctified and blessed month to worshiping Lord Shiva. Furnishing Ganga Jal Abhishekam and taking fast during this month showers miraculous benefits of the devotees. It is one of the beliefs of Hindu religion that the worship of Lord Shiva during Shravan month is pondered 108 times more effective than worshipping during another day. Worshiping Lord Shiva with Ganga water is a way to seek Moksha(freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth).

Rath Yatra 2014 In Puri-A zealous and Religious Journey with Lord Jagannath

The Three Sacred Chariots

The most awaited car festival or Rath Yatra 2014 will held on the 29^th June 2014 in Puri.It is also known as the Chariot festival .It is the most important yearly festival of Hindus. It is a colorful festival of Puri in which millions of devotees from the various region of India and also from aboard take place. It is the beliefs of Hindus the participation of this festival brings them to heaven.

Painted Elephants Ready To Welcome Of Chariots

Three Lords In Chariot

A Devotee On Chariot

The three Rath or chariots are the main highlights of the Rath Yatra.These three chariot pulled by the strings. One of the chariot dedicated to Lord Jagannath, another one devoted to Balabhadra’s and the third one dedicated to Subhadra.Lord Jagannath ‘s chariot is 45.6 feet high and moved on the 18 wheels,this chariot called Nandighosa. The chariot of Balbhadra’s is made 45 feet high and it has 16 wheels.Balabhadra’s chariot referred as Taladhvaja. Devadalana is the name of the Subhadra’s chariot. The height of the chariot is 44.6 feet and it has 14 wheels. All chariots made of wood and decorated with various colors and designs.

Decoration of Deities

‘Snana Pumima’marks the starting of this festival.On this auspicious day the three deities-Lord Jagannath(Lord Krishna),Lord Balabhadra(Elder Brother of Lord Krishna) and Devi Subhadra(Sister of Lord Krishna) take a divine prolonged bath on a sacred platform known as ‘Snana Bedi”.After this holy bath of all three deities ,they put in an isolation place for 15 days. This 15 days time period is know as ‘Anabasara’.During this 15 days period no public worship is performed and after this isolation period .the three deities come out of the temple and board with colorful chariots.

Rangoli On The Path of Sacred Chariot

Devotees Pulling The Rope Of Chariot

Devotees Performing Songs In Jagannath Rath Yatra Ceremony

Chhera pahara is the most famous ritual associated with the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2014. During the festival, the King sweeps all around the chariots and deities. He then cleanses the road with a broom (gold-handled) and sprinkles sandalwood powder and water. This ritual is held for two days, very firstly on the Rath Yatra Puri when the three deities go to their aunt’s house, where the deities enjoy nine day stay and enjoyed the sweets of rice.

A single glance of Lord Jagannatha on the chariot is pondered to be very auspicious and poets, saints, and scriptures have repeatedly dignified the purity of this special festival. The significance of the sacred festival is such that even a single touch of the chariots of deities or even the ropes of chariot with which these are pulled is considered enough to endow the results of several holy deeds or austerity for ages. The Car Festival is one of the world’s most incredible spectacles.

 

 

 

Ladakh –A Wonderful Blend Of Beauty And Adventures

Reflection In Beautiful Lake Of Ladakh (Image By Flickr)

Nature is great and amazing creator of incredible beautiful places. Ladakh is a white snow magic on the earth. It’s really like a kaleidoscope of natures beauty, snow covered peaks, large and barren sand dunes, frozen rivers, miraculous valleys, extremely cold region, scorching sunlight, dazzling shiny mountains and Buddhist monasteries. This exotic region situated in the northernmost of Jammu & Kashmir and lies between the giant Himalaya and the beautiful Karakoram mountain range.

Ladakh is full with wonderful natural charm that always attracts to the nature lovers. The peaceful area of Ladakh is also presenting the wonderful range of adventures. Ladakh is the land of High passes and high adventure sports. There are various adventurous activities, which can fill adventure and sparks in your Ladakh tour .Be a part of some adventurous  to get a most wonderful and memorable trip of  Ladakh  .Some are here:

Chadar Trek Of Ladakh(Image By Flickr)

Trekking On The Snow Covered Trek(Image By Flickr)

Trekking-Measure the Slopes of  Mountain

Ladakh is full with wonderful dangerous treks. Gather your courage and be ready to view a beautiful world at extreme levels of thrill. There are many treks in Ladakh which are famous among the trekkers. A Trek of Ladakh can be categorized in three category likes easy treks, moderate treks and difficult trek. Lamayuru to Alchi trek, Ripchar Valley Trek, Padum to Darcha Trek and Lamayuru to Darcha Trek are comes in easy treks. Markha Valley Trek, Lamayuru Stok Kangri and Markha Valley Trek with Stok Kangri Climb are known as moderate trek.Chadar trek,Jhunglam Hemis to Padum trek and Kang Yatse and Dzo Jongo are well known as difficult trek of Ladakh region. Markha valley and Chadar trek are the most popular tracks.Chadar Trek is well known and dangerous trek in the all over world.

Paragliding In Ladakh(Image By Flickr)

Paragliding- Glance of Beauty of Ladakh From the Sky

Feel the brutal and strong winds slap at the high level of the surface. A bird’s eye view of IndusValley gives you an ultimate experience of your life. There are many best spots around Ladakh for thrilling paragliding experiences would be Stok Kangri, Tsemo Gompa and Leh Bazaar as well.

Bike Adventure In Ladakh(Image By Flickr)

Bike Trip-Explore the Charm of High Passes with Adventure

Biking in Ladakh region is awesome.Biking across the Himalayan route by crossing the amazing Rothang pass, KuluValley and Lahaul-Spiti valley fascinates to bikers with its romantic charms and thrills. On the route,you will interact with famous Shanti Stupa, LehPalace and Sankar monastery, which are spreading a divine charm. You can take real beauty and challenges on the Highest Motorable Road in the world i.e. Khurdung La Pass only by the Bike.

Yak Safari (Image By Flickr)

 Yak Safari: Special Safari in the Ladakhi Style

Yak Safari puts some more fun in your Ladakh trip .Yak is a heavy and shaggy animal. So enjoy the beauty of spanning glacial valleys, streams, snow clad high peaks, green forest and deep meadow on this special safari.

Camel Safari In Nubra Valley(Image By Flickr)

Camel Safaris-An amazing Journey of  Mountains on the Ship of Desert

The Double Humped camel is the special species of Himalaya region. Take a deep glance of  Monasteries, Gompas. Stupas, Kangri peaks, Khardung la pass with this exclusive safari. Only Camel safari gives you full explore of the beautiful villages of the amazing Nubra valley.

Rafting In Zanskar River (Image By Flickr)

Rafting-An Extreme Thriller on the Water Waves:

Best entertainment with some bit of adventure –River Rafting. Take a glimpse of picturesque landscapes, shining peaks, deep canyons, hillside villages and hilltop monasteries from the high and low waves of river Zanskar and Indus river are famous for rafting.

 

Shopping around the Monument of Love – Taj Mahal

 

Monument With White Beauty-Taj Mahal

As we know India is undoubtedly the true land of tourism, Taj Mahal is also known as the exact witness of Indian tourism. Your tour to India is incomplete without seeing the glorious beauty of  Taj Mahal, which is why a number of tourists visit Agra every year. As a result, the city of Taj, Agra has developed into a very good shopping city in last few years. Shopping places near Taj offers you a very superior variety of souvenirs to purchase. These markets are always full of crowd and propose you the different artifacts and other valuable items. The people who love leather, and sweets will be very happy being here.

Beautiful Replica Of  Taj Mahal

Coming back with a replica of Taj Mahal is a very common trend which people are still following . You can bring this mini Taj Mahal to your home, or you can also gift it to others. It is prepared by local talented artists and is very famous between tourists. Other thing which is famed is incredible leather goods as the city is well known for its leather industry. The items which you can purchase are belts, shoes, leather jackets and bags, etc., which are available in various colors and designs. Different decorative items made up of metals like brass; copper and silver would also be a good item to purchase.

Rug And Carpet Center Near Taj Mahal

Beautiful Marble Items In A Shop

Some Small Gift Items

One of its kinds, the mobile souvenir is always roaming around the Taj Mahal. You can purchase all kinds of items from them like key rings, mini model of Taj Mahal, books about Taj Mahal and Agra, etc. You will find few Governments Handloom and Handicraft shops near the western gate of Taj Mahal.

Beautiful Embroidered Pair of Marble Pot

Colorful Pots In Market Near Taj Mahal

You can buy some unique things like the sarees made of bamboo and banana, handmade rugs, curtains and bed sheets. Outside the south gate of Taj Mahal, you will find Taj Ganj, which is famous for various marble items. Everything which can be carved from marble is available here. All of these items are beautifully designed by professional artists. Agra Petha is very famous, and it is a must try, which is worth it. This is a trend in India that people purchase this delicious sweet for others as a gift item.

Different Flavors Of Petha

Different culture ,food and a wonderful  visit  of  Taj Mahal give you a unforgettable experience.You will also find some food joints near Taj, where you can relish local food. The cuisine of Agra is very scrumptious and preferred by all travellers. The famous markets are Kinari Bazaar, Taj Ganj Area, Pratap Puro and Sadar Bazaar. If you are there in Agra during the Taj Mahotsav, the fun of your trip will be double. Artists and craftsmen from all over the world come there to display their work. You will find the maximum of variety there, and you can purchase these items at a very good price.

It is not like that you will find only traditional and handicraft objects in Agra. The city also has world-class famous shopping malls, which are very famed between tourists, like Omaxe Wedding Mall. There is a marvellous food court and a banquet hall in the mall, which can be used for different parties and functions. The other mall situated near Taj Mahal is TDI Mall, where you will find some world-class brands. The other famous shopping malls in the city are Pacific Taj Mall and Ashok Cosmos Mall. There are different food joints in these malls and other shopping outlets followed by various entertainment zones where you can enjoy and relax.Shopping of  precious marble and astonishing  view of  Taj Mahal .

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SOMNATH-Sun Temple: The Legendary Indian Shrine

Somnath-Sun Temple

The Somnath Temple is positioned in the Saurashtra region, the western coast of Gujarat.It is among the twelve Jyotirlings of the god Shiva. It has presently become a tourist terminus for travelers. Various mythologies are connected to it, which makes the temple Legend. Somnath literally means “The Shrine Eternal”, since having been devastated many times by Islamic Royals and rajas it is still interminable. In recent times, it was remodeled in November 1947 by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.

Entrance Of The Temple

The existent temple is fabricated in the Chalukya  style of temple and replicates the skill of the Sompra Salat, one of Gujarat’s leading masons. The temple’s main pinnacle is 15 metres in height, and it has an 8.2-metre tall flag pole at the top. The temple is positioned at such a habitation that there is no land in straight- line between Somnath seashore untill Antarctica, such an engraving in Sanskrit is found on the Arrow-Pillar called Baan-Stambh raised on the sea-protection wall at the Somnath Temple.

Carvings On Wall

With the help of inhabitants, anybody can be pleasantly surprised to find this mesmerizing and enthralling Sun temple built in the 14th century. Situated adjacent in the direction of the Sitala Mata Temple, it has a magnificent arrival porch, and statues of the Sun God and his two associates.State provides transport buses and private luxury coaches which connect Somnath from various destinations in Gujarat.It is located 6 km from the adjoining railway station at Veraval. Due to fast connectivity of transport and amazing beauty of this temple makes it an alluring tourist place for travelers in Gujarat.

A Wonderful Sculpture

On the eastern end of Somnath is Triveni, which is the coming together of three rivers .On the banks of the river Triveni, Hiranya is the spot where Lord Krishna’s procession rites were performed, a hunter mistook him for a deer and killed him. A large showering harbour is built here, which is called Dehotsarg. A huge commemorative and a Geeta Mandir standing on a number of pillars are also erected here.

Amazing Carvings On The Pilers

Surya Mandir or the Sun Temple dates back to time of the original Temple of Somnath and gives an idea of what the primary temple resembled. A museum is positioned in the Somnath Temple zone and another in a thoroughfare nearby, that contains remnants of the old Somnath Shrines. Somnath Temple has folklore behind its formation. It is believed that Lord Chandra (Moon God) was very proud of his beauty because of which he was cursed by his father-in-law Daksha, to get less significant. In order to get liberated of this curse, Moon God prayed to Lord Shiva, and Lord Shiva became pleased with the reparation of the Moon and reduced the curse to some degree. This illustration led to the intermittent diminishing of the moon.

Stepped Fond In Sun Temple

Sun Temple is an eternal Indian shrine that illustrates the power of formation is always greater than the power of devastation. The religious prominence of Sun temple fascinates travelers as well as sightseers from India and abroad and as a result it has turned out to be one of the prominent tourist spots of  Gujarat .Visiting Sun Temple during your Gujrat  tour would not only give you a good architectural view but will also provide you mental and spiritual peace.