Pushkar Fair 2011

When it comes to celebrate fairs and festivals in India, there is no comparison to Pushkar Fair.This is one of the most famous fairs held at Pushkar town which is located just 11Km from Ajmer, Rajasthan. This town situated along the bank of the picturesque Pushkar Lake comes alive during Pushkar fair. Today it is considered as one of the most popular and colorful fairs and festivals in India that attracts numerous tourists from every corner of the world. In fact, this is one of its own kinds cultural cum trade fair that provides ample of opportunities for vacationers to enjoy the attractive and lively spectacle of Rajasthan.

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels

Taste a slice of royalty onboard the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels! The grandeur and magnificence of the 'land of the kings' - Rajasthan and also the ‘temple towns’ - Varanasi and Khajuraho have been fantastically captured and reflected through the luxury train tours. Visit the magical destinations of Jaipur, Udaipur and Agra and unfold the romantic legacies of Chittorgarh. Travel across Jodhpur and do not miss out on the spiritual experiences waiting to be offered you in Varanasi! Discover the dramatic ambiance of Bharatpur and Sawai Madhopur and the contemporary heritage of New Delhi. Royal Rajasthan on Wheels tour wait to treat you to a regal feast. Besides being enticed by the destinations, be prepared to be enthralled by the interesting amenities onboard this luxury train.

Places to visit in Kolkata

Indian Museum:
Indian Museum KolkataThe Indian Museum is the biggest museum and has very rare collections of fossils, antiques, ornaments, armor and paintings. This museum has 6 sections which consist of Geology, Zoology, Art, Archeology, Anthropology and botany. This museum is founded by Dr.Nathaniel Wallich in 1814. This museum has a very wide variety exhibits like fossils or skeletons of dinosaurs, Collections of meteorites, Palm leaves paintings, miniature paintings, Buddhist stupa, Ashoka pillar and other remains of ancient civilization. Currently this is the ninth oldest museum in the world. People who are having lot of interest on arts and artifacts, then this place is the must see place in the city of Kolkata. If you get into this museum once then you will not know how the day has passed. Every items presented in this museum is unique and has its own heritage and culture.

Marble Palace:
Marble Palace KolkataMarble Palace is an impressive building and well preserved elegant house of 19th century in Northern Kolkata. The building is completely constructed from the marbles thus the building has got that name. This mansion was built by Raja Rajendra Mullick in the year 1835 who was a very rich merchant and had a very craze of collecting art works. The house is basically constructed in the style of Neoclassic whereas the plan is purely of the traditional Bengali. Adjacent to the court-yard there is a place for worship which can be accessible only from the people of the family. This is a three storey building having a tall pillars and verandas which is having sloping roof which is completely built in the style of Chinese pavilion. The premises of the palace also contain a rock garden, a small zoo where you can find few rare birds and lawn garden with lake. The collections present in this building includes the western sculpture, paintings by Indian and European artists, Victorian furniture, two famous paintings of Ruben and rarely fund stones and sculptures. This is the place which will be liked by all category of people and the must see place in the city of Kolkata.

Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial KolkataLocated in Central Kolkata, the stunning Victoria Memorial is the official landmark of this city – by far the pride and joy of Kolkata and the most famous monument in the area. The majestic architecture is elegant and regal, and stands out gallantly in its white, marble form. The memorial was made in dedication to Queen Victoria, who also held the title of “Empress of India.” The building is surrounded by a beautiful display of gardens which compliments the scenery pristinely. Built to offer respects and honor the Queen, the memorial was established four years after her death – and has continued to reach its goal to this very day, a total of eighty-eight years later. Inside the Victoria Memorial you will find an astonishing display of artifacts, with twenty-five impressive galleries located in the central hall. Upon visiting the Victoria Memorial, you’ll undoubtedly feel the power behind its great, majestic devotion.

Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu)
Howrah Bridge KolkataThe symbol of Kolkata, this cantilever bridge has a history dating back to 1874 when it was a Floating Pontoon Bridge was built using timber. The sixth longest bridge of its kind in the world the Howrah bridge connects the twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata. Howrah railway station is one of the busiest in the world and would be your gateway to Kolkata if your are arriving or departing by rail. The view of Ganges (Hoogly) from the bridge is an experience one must undertake when in Kolkata. The breeze and rhythmic vibrations of vehicles crossing the bridge give you a feeling of euphoria. You could also check out the flower market right at the Kolkata end of Rabindra setu.

Missing India, Reverse Culture Shock and a Little Bit of Seasonal Blues

When I returned to Europe in 2009 from a trip that lasted more than three years and included lots of travel around India, studying yoga in Mysore and long trips to nearby countries including Thailand, Singapore and Nepal, I was more than ready to leave Asia. Europe was, in my mind, a paradise where everything is clean and efficient and functions perfectly. Europe was the dreamland with no
The Belur Temple in Karnataka South India

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cheating rickshaw drivers and no bureaucracy that has been created to extract bribes from foreigners by driving us so mad that we’d be happy to pay anything just so we would not have to fill in another inexplicable piece of paper. Europe was a place that had decent bread (and that means bread that is baked in an oven and is not flat), non-spicy food, cheese that actually tastes like cheese. My Dream Europe had cold crispy winter mornings and people who would get things done in three working days without asking for a “present”.

The disappointment was so great that I am still not sure if I am going through a reverse culture shock that has lasted over two years, or if my mind had simply created an illusion of Europe that never existed in reality.

5 tips for India first-timers

1. Choose your route wisely

Think about what interests you, what you like doing, and tailor your trip accordingly. The itineraries section at the front of Lonely Planet India can be a great help here.

The most popular India tour is the all-time classic Golden Triangle. Clichéd, yes, but if time is short this is a fantastic introduction to three of India’s very best destinations. Start in Delhi (Hamayun’s Tomb, Old Fort) before hitting Agra (Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri) then Jaipur (Pink City, fort at Amber). Head back to Delhi’s wonderful bazaars for a final shopping spree before you fly home.

And if you have more specific interests:

Shopping - Delhi
Beaches - Goa
Trekking - Himachal Pradesh
Yoga - Rishikesh
Food – everywhere!
Tigers - Madhya Pradesh
Thrill-seekers - Manali
Religious fervour - Varanasi
Just chilling - Kerala

2. Slow down

Too many people try to cram too much into a visit to India. Don’t be one of them. Seeing one place slowly is so much more rewarding than seeing many places in a flash. You’ll be less stressed, gain a deeper understanding of where you are and have more time to build relationships with the people you meet.

3. Avoid the crowds

One billion locals gets a bit too much for some travellers, but India also has plenty of quiet retreats. If you need to escape the crowds in the sprawling cities, consider heading south to the backwaters of Kerala, north to Tibetan-influenced mountainous regions such as Ladakh or paying a visit to one of India’s many hill stations.

4. Stay healthy

Avoid tap water, and any food that may have been washed in it, at all times. No ice, no salads and no fruit you haven’t just peeled yourself.

Many travellers go veggie whilst in India. It’s not a bad idea. A dodgy bit of meat will do you a lot more harm than slightly undercooked vegetables. Plus, many Indians are vegetarian, so there’s a fabulous choice of vegetarian food. If you do eat meat, make sure it’s well cooked. If in doubt, eat at a place that’s packed with locals.

Toilets are notoriously bad in India, but they don’t have to be health hazards. Consider using the left-hand-and-water-jug method preferred by many locals (it is, after all, so much more hygienic than using dry paper), but don’t forget to carry soap with you so you can wash your hands properly afterwards.

5. Keep cool

India is renowned for its touts and scams, for its in-yer-face hassles and for being generally bloody hectic. There are various ways you can reduce the chances of being overcharged or just plain cheated (see scams in India), but there’s no way you can avoid them altogether, so the single most important piece of advice for any India first-timer is to try to remain calm, no matter what. Frustrations boil over easily in India, and being able to control them, take a deep breath and move on, is key to enjoying your overall experience.

Royal Rajasthan

Rajasthan, the regal state known for its stately grandeur and intricately carved 'havelis', beckons you on a journey through its enchanting landscape, exploring majestic forts and colorful culture on the way. On a holiday in Rajasthan, enjoy comfortable accommodation, efficient travel arrangements and engrossing sightseeing tours with our range of Rajasthan holiday packages. So book now and make your vacation special!