Another important people that lived in the lower Shivaliks during the pre-Arvan times were the Kira ts, whose king, Shambar, fought against the Aryan king, Divodas. Kirats were a well-organized society with a law and order system. They lived in towns and built forts. The first contact of the Aryans with the Himachal areas came about when they crossed Purushni (Ravi) and reached Arjiklya (Beas) in about 3,000 to 2,500 B.C. Here they found themselves face to face with the Kirats whose king ruled in the Lower Shivaliks from his stronghold near Baijnath. The Aryans then were commanded by king Divodas whose chief counselor was Rishi Bharadwaja. The war between Divodas and Shambar lasted forty years, and has been described in the Rig Veda by Vashishtha and Vamdeva. Most of the Divodas—Shambar wars were fought in the hilly areas and resulted in the total defeat of the Kirats and the destruction of all their forts (99) except perhaps one, which was probably retained by the Aryans. Shambar and his ally, Verchi, were killed at a place named Udubraj. It is also stated that the Aryans had to fight other kings named Kiranj, Parnya and Chumri, but they were minor contenders and the Aryans with their better military organization were able to conquer the entire area in the lower Shivaliks. The Aryans did not proceed further in the interior hills of Himachal. Probably the areas were not very hospitable. Moreover by their conquest over the Kirats they had secured the rear for the onward march to the Indo-Gangeticp plains. The conquering Aryan king could also now devote his attention to the other tribes which were unitedly following threatening him from the west beyond Purushni (Ravi). After his victory over the Kirats, Divodas died and his son Sudas succeeded him. Bharadwaja was no more the Purohit of the Bharatas and his place was taken by another illustrious leader of the Aryans, Vashishtha. Ten Aryan chiefs opposed Sudas in what is known in the Rig Veda as the Dashragh, the battle of the ten kings. It was a protracted war like the Kirat conflict, and finally resulted in the complete victory of Sudas. His enemies retreated to the west of Ravi. The fertile plains were now open to Sudas. The Aryan victories over Kirats and other hilly tribes hardly made any lasting impact on the life pattern in the hills. Aryan nomadic life and ways of worship could not influence the hill people with the exception of the sacrificial part of the Yajna that found acceptance as it fitted in with the local customs of the tribals who sacrificed animals at all celebrations. The Aryan conquerors also did not change the laws and customs prevailing here. On the other hand, the Aryans seem to have taken to some of the religious faiths and observances of the hill people. For more information on culture and society in Himachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh tour packages contact Swantour.com
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It was under the Dogra rulers, who ruled Jammu and its surroundings in the early 18th century, that various arts and crafts began flourishing here. Over the years, the patronage of the rulers of the region, be it the Dogras, the Raiputana, the Sikhs or the Europeans, each brought a new cultural style and artistic inspiration. About 80 kms from the district headquarters of Kathua is the picturesque little town of Basohli, perched on a low hill. The miniature Basohli paintings take their name from this town which, though a bit dilapidated today, still has traces of its former magnificence. The origin of this style remains unknown, but the earliest paintings depict scenes from Rasainartiari, a Sanskrit text from the 15th century. Basohli paintings are characterized by primary colors and stylized faces, shown in profile, with prominent eyes. Nawikas and nayakas young amorous couples are depicted in various moods and occasions. Many paintings were richly decorated with silver and gold. Sometimes, artists would even use shiny beetle-wings to highlight the jewellery that decorated their subjects. Shopping of Kashmir Few visitors to Jammu & Kashmir leave without visiting its emporiums and bazaars, shopping for the state's beautiful crafts. While there are many shops run by local artisans, particularly in the capitals of Jammu, Srinagar and Leh, government-run emporiums are reliable and fairly priced. The Kashmir Government Arts Emporium has three branches in Srinagar — at Lal Chowk, Boulevard and Residency Road. A stop at this treasure trove of crafts is recommended for discerning buyers. Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk and Polo View are popular markets, crowded with shops of all kinds. For coppenvare, head to Zaina Kadal in the old city. Note that copper is usually sold by weight. In Jammu, Raghunath Bazaar, near Raghunath Temple, is a popular haunt of tourists and locals. Kashmir Government Arts Emporium outlets are located in Bahu Plaza and at Veer Marg. For more information on shopping in Jammu and Kashmir and Kashmir tour packages contact Swantour.com Once a famous centre of Indian Art when the water of river Saraswati flowed through the state is Bikaner. in the course of time the river and artful civilization of the city were engulfed by the growing desert., Today Bikaner is an important part of the Holiday itinerary of Best Rajasthan Tour Packages . The northern most of the state cities deep in the desert, Bikaner is so bleak that it is a wonder men have chosen to risk their lives to win such a kingdom. Bikaner, a true desert city in a camel country is situated on an elevated ground, surrounded by a seven Kms long embattled wall market by five gates. It was founded by Rao Bikaji in 1488, one of the descendants of Jodhaji, founder of Jodhpur. Infact the town derives its name from its founder. This region is well known for the best riding camels in the world and the monuments here chiselled out of red and yellow sandstone display some of the finest creations of Rajputs civilization. What to see:- 1) Junagarh Fort: Raja Raj Singh an outstanding general in the army of Mhal emperor Akbar, built this imposing fort in year l588-1593. It is the chief attraction in the city and encircled by a moat and within, has palaces made of red sand-stone and marble, with Kiosks and balconies embellishing the structure at intervals. Suraj polis the main entrance gate to the fort, Har Mandir (a Shiva temple) the majestic chapael, where the royal weddings and births were celebrated anpole. The palaces worth visiting are Anup Mahal, Karan Mahal built by Maharaja Anoop Singh in commemoration of the gallant victory of his father Maharaja Karan Singh, over attacks of Aurangzeb. Built in Mughal style, the ceilling arches bear rich paintings of 17th and 18th century including a good addition later contributed by Maharaja Gaj Singh. Bijai Mahal, Dungar Niwas, Ganga Niwas, and Rang Mahal. And some of the most beautiful palaces are Chandra Mahal and Phool Mahal. These are exquisitely ornate with mirror work, carvings and paintings. The Palaces with in, are adorned with gigantic columms, arches and graceful screens. The facade of the monument, visible above the high invincible walls offer a splendid view of pavilions protruding out, a row of balconies, kiosks and towers at intervals from a distance. 2) Lalgarh Palace: Lalgarh a magnificent 19th century red sandstone building founded by Raja Rai Singh, is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions. It was royal residence, and today is an hotel, marvellous in its proportions where the profusion of lattice work makes intricate lace of red sand stone. Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum: It houses an excellent collection of pre-Harappan, the Gupta and Kushan era and sculptures of the late classical time. It is one of the finest museum in state. Excursions:- Bhandasar Jain Temple: 5 Kms. It is a beautiful 16th century Jain temple of glittering crest and gilded flagstaff commanding dominant position in the city dedicated to the 23rd Teerthankar Parsvanathji. Other intersting temples are Chintamani, Adinath and Neminath, may be regarded as the most beautiful of the temples here on account of more detailed ornamentation and carvings. Camel Breeding Farm: 10 Kms. This farm is one of its kind in the whole of Asia and is preserved by the government. Bikaner's camel corps (former-Ganga Risala) was a famous fighting force and still maintains its importance in desert warfare. It's here that you'd see what an interesting animal the camel is. You could have some thick camel milk while listening to a Raika—a camel breeder's trike tell you about camels and camel-lore and how they are bred. The gamboling baby-camel make a very enchanting sight. Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary: 32 Kms. On Jaisalmer road is Gajner wildlife sanctuary. The lush foliage of the woods here have a number of Nilgai, Chinkara, Black Buck, particularly flocks of Imperial sand Grouse, living here.
A summer resort of kings is Gainer Palace, has now been converted into a hotel, is standing on the banks of a lake. For more information on holiday destinations in Rajasthan, contact Swan Tours , one of the leading travel agents in India. After having been for nearly three weeks in the Almora hills, I am more than ever amazed why our people need to go to Europe... MAHATMA GANDHI Almora extends along a 5 km-long horse saddle-shaped ridge, 68 kms north of Nainital. Surrounded by dense forests of pine and fir, the town's sylvan surroundings have attracted people for centuries. Its illustrious visitors include Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. Jawaharlal Nehru spent an involuntary period in when he was incarcerated here in 1942, during the Quit India movement. Over the years, many cultural centres have come up here, including the Vivekananda Library and Memorial, Uday Shankar India Cultural Centre and Tagore Bhawan where the Nobel Laureate supposedly penned Gitanjali, earning Almora the title of the 'cultural capital of Kumaon'. Almora is one of the few hill stations in north India which was not founded by the British. It became the capital of the Chand rulers of Kumaon in 1560 and remained with them till the British took over in 1815. Almora's chequered past is reflected in its architecture: one can see indigenous hill cottages with bungalow trimmings, and semi-Indianised British bungalows with stone slab roofs. Like other hill stations, here too the Mall Road is the epicentre of all activity. Uttarakhand holiday packages organised by Swan Tours includes the sightseeing of The fiudden Memorial Church, in Almora Bazaar, is a significant British landmark, as is the Post Office, built in 1905, while the Clock Tower facing the tourist office is a mix of different architecture styles. The Collectorate, was once the Almora Fort and gives stunning views of the surrounding hills. A walk through the Khajanchi Mohalla (literally treasurer's area), gives one many delightful examples of old style Kumaoni architecture. GB Pant Museum houses archaeological and ethnographic exhibits, including articles belonging to rulers of the Chand dynasty and letters written by freedom fighters. Open Mon-Saturday; time. 10.30 am-4.30 pm. A visit to the colourful Lala and Chowk Bazaars is also worthwhile for their woollens - shawls, woven tweeds - and tatitha (hand-beaten copperware) and silverware. Carrying on its Gandhian legacy, Almora has a significant production of khadi or home-spun cotton. Gandhi Ashram is a good place to buy the fabric. Food lovers must sample Almora's famous sweets, bal mithai, and singauri. One of the more popular shops is Khim Singh and Mohan Singh Rautela's sweet shop in the main market. The town and its surrounding hills are dotted with temples. The ancient Nanda Devi Temple is built in the typical Kumaoni style of stone temple architecture, and shows intricate carvings on its walls. Swami Vivekananda is believed to have meditated at Kasar Devi Temple (6 kms from Almora). The temple stands on Crank's Ridge, formerly a haunt of artists and writers. D. H. Lawrence, the English novelist, is known to have spent two summers here. The locally popular Chitai Temple (8 kms) is dedicated to Golu Devta, who supposedly grants every wish made with a clear conscience. Further on is the 800-year old Katarmal Temple (17 kms from Almora). Lakhudiyar (20 kms), meaning one lakh entrances, has a cluster of ancient cave shelters. For more information on Hill holidays in India, contact Swan Tours, a leading best travel agent in India promoting tourism since 1995.
Ignoring the dust and braving the quite long distances, spend some time exploring the Jaipur overspill. Ram Singh 11's splendid cultural park is hard by the city walls, and its museum is a real treat. The splendid Rambagh Palace is south of it, and the beautiful Sisodia Palace lies out to the east. Ram Singh II laid out his Ram Niwas Gardens right outside New Gate, employing a certain Dr de Fabeck to landscape what is now reduced to 14.5 hectares (36 acres). The view down the central road, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, is closed by the palatial Central Museum. On the way there it passes first the Gallery of Modem Art, the zoo, a crocodile breeding farm and the Maharaja College (founded 1845) which taught Urdu, Persian and English. Ram Singh 11 also founded the School of Art (1868) which revived and promoted so many of Jaipur's crafts, including the well-known blue pottery. The Albert Hall, housing the Central Museum, is the park centerpiece. It is a triumph of Raj influence, having been modelled on the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone on his 1876 visit and the architect was Colonel Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob (1841-1917), a British engineer whose knowledge of Indian buildings later earned him a job as consultant for the British capital of New Delhi. Inside the thoroughly Indian palace, locals wander about enjoying models of their festivals, collections of puppets and costumes, and exhibitions of top-quality Jaipur brasswork. The separate room at the front is the Durbar Hall, usually locked, but just ask and it will be opened. It houses several exquisite carpets including the magnificent Persian Garden Carpet, one of India's finest art treasures. Made in 1632 in Kerman, Persia, its design is a paradise garden on char-bagh lines. Fish swim in canals and mother birds feed their young in blossoming trees. It is one of the best of its kind, its fine silk colours still fresh and bright. (Free on Monday, closed Friday). Also Visit - Luxury Golden Triangle Tour Packages India Further down the road, Narain Singh Marg leads past Narain Niwas, a thakur townhouse. Built in 1881 by Narain Singh, Madho Singh Its emissary, it was furnished in the heavy Raj taste so fashionable at the Jaipur court. At the end of the road, Lilly Pool Palace opposite is where the Raj Mata of Jaipur lives. She is the widow of the last Maharaja. Man Singh II Her autobiography, A Princess Remembers, describes a queen’s fairy tale life before Independence and, to a great extent, after it. The Rajmata lived much of her married life at Rambagh Palace, found by turning left down Sawai Ram Singh Road then right at the large crossroads. It was Ram Singh II who made what were originally a few pleasure pavilions outside the city into a hunting lodge, Ram Bagh (garden of Ram). Hunts played an important role in the court calendar Just as Akbar had used hunts to disguise his soldiers' manoeuvres when making his alliances with the Rajputs, so the Rajput prince used large hunting expeditions around his kingdom to visit local thakurs (landowners), deal with political and administrative business and keep himself informed. He could be hawking, using trained cheetahs to catch antelopes, hunting tigers or wild boar, or duck shooting. With Sir Swinton Jacob's help, Madho Singh II later transformed Ram Bagh hunting lodge into a royal playground, with English herbaceous borders, squash court, tennis court, indoor swimming pool complete with trapeze, and polo field next door, Not surprisingly, his adopted son, who succeeded him as Man Singh II in 1922 aged just 11 years, later chose it as his principal home. And when in 1940 he made a love-match marriage with his third wife, Gayatri Devi, Lalique fountains and the latest sleek black marble bathrooms and bold geometric furniture were added. Here the handsome, glamorous couple known to friends as Jai and Ayesha lived, ruled and played out a fairy tale life, mixing medieval with thoroughly modem. The Maharaja's water was brought in daily from a special well by four men and a soldier guard, yet the couple jetted about the world to New York, London and elsewhere. Jai died after a fall during a polo game at Cirencester in England in 1970. Today the palace is a hotel, so the courtyards, public rooms and glorious gardens are easy to see (good shops; drinks in the Polo Bar or overlooking the lawn a treat). And Madho Singh's polo grounds next door are also fun to visit if there is a game on or even a practice—the annual season is March. From here, you can look south to Moti Doongri, the fort, built like a Scottish castle, where the royal treasure was once stored. You can then move west and see Jai and Ayesha's later home, the relatively modest Raj Mahal Palace, built as the British Residency and now, like the Rambagh, a hotel. Here they entertained Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, on his 1965 visit which coincided with the Hindu festival of Holi. His letter of thanks shows that the couple, although by then reduced to commoner status, could still entertain royally: 'Every moment was sheer joy and it's only the bruises from polo and the pink stain On my fingers which remain to convince me that the whole thing wasn't some marvellous dream' One last trip makes a delightful end to a city day. Just outside town, on the road eastwards out of the Ghat Gate towards Agra, Jaipur's great architect is honoured with a little garden, Vidyadharji ka Bagh, which is now sadly in need of some restoration. Almost opposite, Sisodia Rani ka Bagh is pristine perfect. This country palace was built by Jai Singh II for his Udaipur queen whom he married to cement a Rajput alliance Large, chirpy, bright murals surround the exterior, lush terraced gardens overlook the open plains, and the watchman will unlock the palace to show you a hideaway home still full of royal atmosphere. Drive on behind the palace to the hillside Hanuman Temple dedicated to the monkey-god. It surges into life each day at 4 pm. Crowds of langur monkeys come to meet the priest who arrives in an auto-rickshaw with sacks of bananas which the animals grab greedily and then sit gobbling in mid-road. The keen can do a small hike from here, up to Galta's hilltop Temple of the Sun God-worth it for its spectacular views.
For more information on Gardens and Palaces in Modern Jaipur Rajasthan contact Swan Tours one of the leading Best Tour & Travels Delhi The Himachal Pradesh people are deeply religious and god-fearing but their Hinduism is different from that of the plains. It appears that the grandeur of the natural features, the Himalayas, and the magnitude of the physical forces arraigned against man pohas led the inhabitants to assign supernatural powers to natural environments, some benevolent but mostly malevolent. To the children of the mountains, the 'Himalayas are the gods'. Along with the major gods, who are represented in the Thakardwaras and the Shivalas mostly in the towns, the people worship the godlings or the village deities, the Deotas, the Rishis, the Munis, the Siddhas, the Pandavas, the hill tops, the trees, the joginis or wood fairies, the kali, the shakti, the nagas and even a host of devils and deities of the aborigines. The water courses, the sprouting seeds, the ripening corn ear are all in charge of separate spirits who are duly propitiated. Animal sacrifice is a major religious rite and is performed at weddings, funerals, and festivals, harvest time, on the beginning of the ploughing or thanks giving. Lamaistic Buddhism is practiced in the trans-Himalayan areas. It is said that the great Padma Sambhava, who was responsible for the spread of Buddhism in Tibet in the eighth century, lived for some time at Riwalsar, near Mandi, where there is a temple for him who is visited by Buddhists not only from the Himalayan areas but also from Tibet and Bhutan. Lamaistic Buddhism assimilates the mysticism of the northern school of Buddhism, the Vajra-Yana, with the magic and devil worship of the Tantras and the cult of the Shakti, Tara. The priest or the lama is the friend, philosopher and guide in the life of the Buddhists who mostly live in the border areas. He guides them in spiritual matters, foretells events, determines lucky and unlucky days, practices medicine, exorcises evil spirits, performs magic and regulates the destiny of the living and the dead. The Muslims in the villages follow Pir Lakh Data and also pray and light earthen lamps at the shrines of other saints. Hindi is the State language but people mostly converse among themselves in Pahari, which according to Y.S. Parmar has various dialects or 'sub-languages'. Grierson in his linguistic survey had called it 'Western Pahari`, and had demarcated its area from Jaunsar Bawar in the U.P. hills (near Dehradun) to Bhadarwah in Jammu and Kashmir. It was on the basis of their distinctive language and culture besides other factors that the hill people in Himachal and Punjab demanded their union and finally got it in 1966. The various dialects of Pahari spoken in the region are :
For more information on what to see and things to do in Himachal Pradesh during you trip contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India offers Rajasthan tour packages at best price. 8/28/2017 1 Comment Sightseeing in Agra - Swan ToursThe citizens of Agra lived near the fort, outside Delhi Gate (now closed) on the north side. Court patronage abounded, crafts flourished and Agra became a major Centre for textiles and jewelry as well as banking and trade. Although starved of court patronage when the Mughals declined, the city continued to thrive at a quieter level and still does today. A stroll around these lanes brings alive the atmosphere of Mughal Agra. If you get lost, it does not matter much as the area is quite small; but enlist some local help to seek out specific craftsmen. By exploring through a grand old gateway, you may discover Mughal hamams (baths) now used as vegetable storehouses; by peeking through doorways into havelis (courtyard houses), you may see a busy atelier of marble inlay works; by looking behind a shop, you may discover a forgotten Mughal noble's mansion. While on Golden Triangle tour package covering Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, the tour highlights of Agra would be as below: The Jama Masjid (Friday mosque, 1648) is the heart of the old city, in Mantola area, its zigzag red and white domes rising above the lanes. It was built by Shah Jahan in the name of his favorite and loyal daughter, Jahanara. Beside its main entrance stands Agra's one forgivable tourist shop, Mughal Marble Emporium, which stocks splendidly gaudy replicas of the Taj made of soapstone with red and yellow plastic trees, fairy lights and glass baubles, each scene enclosed in a glass box. Opposite, the pot-seller's kiosk overflows onto the road. These beautiful spherical water-pots are natural fridges which keep water cool and fresh but apparently only do their job for a few weeks, keeping their sellers in good business. The cloth market runs round behind the mosque, bustling with ladies bargaining for silks and cottons; the main street, Johri Bazar, runs off to the right. Along here are local dhurrie shops such as Damodar Das Mammo Mal's on the left, men's cloth shops where locals meet to gossip over tea, photographers to hire for special occasions, shops selling glitzy braid and other essential wedding accessories, carts loaded with fresh walnuts or crispy gujak, shoe shops (a major Agra trade) and, on the right, a wonderful shop packed with fancy walking sticks. Further on, Kinari Bazar has the jewellery shops, while Panni Gali off it (found with difficulty via Fulati Guli) has Agra's top master of zari (gold) embroidery work, Sham Uddin. He and his craftsmen work in his family haveli (his name is on the door) with the family pigeons strutting about the roof. Back towards the Jama Masjid, a lane to the left leads eventually to Malka Bazar, street of the great kite-makers, such as Sando and Allo Jamalo, whose creations are flown by children from the flat roofs, fluttering until they are trapped in a tree. Another good area to explore is Nai ki Mandi, found north-west of Jama Masjid and across Hing ki Mandi Road. Here shoemakers work in tiny kiosks, women pile up water-pots to dry beside the canal, cows stand motionless mid-lane and marble craftsmen work quietly behind the old carved doors piercing the whitewashed walls of the narrow lanes. Marble Inlayers Descendants of Taj Mahal Craftsmen Nai ki Mandi is an area north of the Jama Masjid in old Agra. The narrow whitewashed lanes are punctuated by high stone steps leading to blue-painted doors. Behind many of them, groups of Agra's 5,000 pietra dura craftsmen sit on the courtyard floors quietly creating delicate floral patterns like those worked by their distant forefathers for the fort and the Taj Mahal. Mohammad Naseem, a Muslim like most marble workers, is a master crafts-man who runs a typical workshop. His dozen craftsmen work in the shaded, blue-pillared courtyard of his family haveli. He hopes his sons will follow his trade. An apprentice begins young, at eight years old, becomes full-time when schooling ends at 14, and is trained by 20-22 years old. The trained craftsman specializes as a marble-cutter, gem-cutter, gem-setter or chiseller, making his own simple tools and helping his master with special pieces. The expensive raw materials are supplied to the head of the workshop by the merchant. The hard, non-porous (and so non-staining) white marble comes from Makrana, near Jaipur. The precious and semiprecious stones come from all over the world and include turquoise, coral, pink rhodonite, golden tiger eye and the rare, gold-speckled blue lapis lazuli. Naseem's work is distinguished by the fine chrysanthemum designs with feather-light petals. He uses coral, turquoise and malachite for their purity of colour, and lapis lazuli for its colour and luminosity. Such fine work, originally introduced from Persia, takes time and considerable patience. First, the paper design is agreed upon between craftsman and merchant. The marble is cut, coated with red water-based paint and the design drawn through. The stones are selected for colour and clarity—a green might be of jade, malachite, variscite or amazonite. Then the slow precision work of cutting each stone and chiselling a bed for it begins. A large design is tackled by area, a small piece in one go. Big flowers are cut first, such as the fine chrysanthemum petals; Naseem often works with the hard and difficult lapis and cornelian because of the glorious finish they give. Each stone is cut, fitted, fine-tuned with an emery paste wheel and then glued and heated to fuse the stone. Leaves are done next, and finally the stems. To finish, the surface is polished with increasingly fine emery. To make a large tray adorned in multi-coloured flowers takes three workers about six months, working 9 am-9 pm except on Friday, the Muslim holiday. A small box takes ten days, and the top of a box about three. The master craftsman oversees and checks each piece, for it all goes out under his name. Such painstakingly slow work means it takes about 25 Agra workshops to keep Sttbhash Emporium in Gwalior Road well stocked. And when you go to browse and, inevitably, to buy, the Hindu family of Bansal brothers who run Subhash will show you some of Naseem's award-winning pieces. For more info on sightseeing in Agra contact Swan Tours, One of the leading travel agents in India promoting tourism in Agra , Jaipur and Delhi. Delhi, The Capital of India is also its third largest city, with a population of about 10 million. Its strategic location along the north-south, east-west route has given it a focal position in Indian history and many great empires have been ruled from here. The monuments and ruins of these are scattered throughout the city, often cheek by jowl with modern structures and bighrise towers. The vast urban sprawl of contemporary Delhi is, in fact, a conglomeration of several distinct enclaves, chief among which are Old Delhi, with its 16th- and 17th-century Mughal-built monuments and congested souk-like bazaars; and New Delhi with its wide avenues, grand vistas and colonial mansions, built by the British in the 1930s as their imperial capital. New Delhi has government buildings and also houses the Diplomatic Enclave where all the embassies are located. The picturesque 12th-century ruins of citadels built by the first Islamic rulers can be seen in the Qutb-Mehrauli area and the affluent new middle class suburbs of South Delhi lie close by. Slums and shanty towns dot the outer fringes of the city. All the contrasts and contradictions of India are particularly visible in the capital: denim-clad youngsters rubbing shoulders with robed sadhus (holy men), and bullock carts travelling alongside the latest luxury cars. Adding to Delhi's fascinating diversity is the fact that it is largely a city of migrants. After the violent Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, millions of refugees, mainly from West Punjab, flocked here in search of a new life. Since then there has been a steady influx of people from all over India. Yet each regional community has retained its distinct cultural identity, making Delhi less a melting pot than a thali (platter) whose offerings may be savoured singly or in interesting combinations . Performing Arts of Delhi Delhi is the Best Place to experience the range and richness of classical dance and music. Performances by the best exponents of the major styles of Odissi, Kathak, Bharat Natyam and Kathakali take place during the high season, between October and March. The same is true of concerts of Hindustani and Carnatic classical music. India's vibrant folk dance and music traditions, such as the devotional music of the Sufis, dance-dramas from Kerala, puppet shows from Rajasthan and Karnataka, can also be seen at various venues. Exhibitions Major Exhibitions are held at the National Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the Crafts Museum. These include special collections of rare sculpture and paintings from museums all over India, as well as from abroad. Recent years have seen exhibitions of Picasso's paintings, the Nizam of Hyderabad's fabulous jewels and Mughal paintings from Queen Elizabeth II's private collection. Regular exhibitions of contemporary art are also held in the many art galleries around Mandi House. The Bazaars of Old Delhi
The Delhi sightseeing tour by car , managed by Swan Tours , covers the legendary bazaars of Delhi .Old Delhi's bazaars are legendary. An English visitor over a 100 years ago, wrote in praise of the "Cashmere shawls, gold and silver embroidery, Jeweler, enamels and carpets" found here. Today the great wholesale bazaars of Chandni Chowk still retain a souk-like quality. Their narrow streets are lined with shops, whose goods spill out onto the pavements. Each lane specializes in a commodity: Dariba Kalan, for instance, is the lane of Jewelers and silversmiths, while Kinari Bazaar sells a bewildering array of tinsel and sequins. For more unique experiences such as culinary , heritage , art , museums in and around Delhi , contact Swan Tours , one of the leading travel agents in Delhi since 1995. Gaurav Chawla. Director. F-6, Second Floor, Shankar Market, Connaught Place, New Delhi - 110001 Telephone: 011 23415601, Mob. 9810100293 E-mail: [email protected] Visit us at: www.swantour.com INDIA IS POSSIBLY the most diverse nation in the world. In area, it is the seventh largest country, and in population second only to China. Within its geographical confines, stretching from the Great Himalayas in the north to the tropical peninsular south, there is a dizzying variety of languages, cultures, ethnic groups, beliefs, and lifestyles that few continents, leave alone countries, possess. India, for first-time tourists and long-term residents alike, can be a powerful assault on the senses —noisy, frenetic, vibrant, and chaotic; a land of incredible contrasts and paradoxes. And yet, underlying the contrasts, there are patterns of continuity, an indefinable essence that is quintessentially Indian. Overwhelming at first, this country of a billion people and "a million mutinies" can gradually unfold rare delights. Luxury tours in India , include centuries-old temples, tombs and forts; in the exquisite crafts still made in the traditional way; in the bustle and aromas of its bazaars; or in the sudden glimpses of serene beauty that filter through the chaos. LEGACY OF THE PAST Much of India's fascination lies in the fact that it is both a young nation and an ancient country rolled into one, where the past and the present constantly collide. Its recorded history goes back 5,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilization, where excavations reveal a sophisticated urban culture. This was followed, in around 1500 BC, by the arrival of the Aryans from Central Asia, who settled along the Genetic Plains of northern India. The Indo-Aryans evolved a very distinctive culture that continues to be part of India's living tradition. The hymns of the Rig Veda, composed by them, are still recited in temples as well as in households in the 21st century. A less happy legacy of the Indo-Aryans was their division of society into four varnas (castes). This may have been a rational ordering of society in its time but it has now degenerated into a system of inherited discrimination, which continues to have a hold on society and politics, even though such discrimination is banned by law. PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE One of India's great paradoxes is that the orthodoxy and rigidities of its society have been continually tempered by revolts and reforms, as well as by outside influences - India has an amazing ability to absorb and assimilate varied ways of being. Long before the New World created "melting pot" cultures, India played host (not always willingly) to invaders and conquerors, adventurers and traders, all of whom shaped, and were shaped by, the land they made their own. This is why there is no racial stereotype, no monolithic culture to define India. Broadly speaking (though there are many exceptions), North Indians are usually light-skinned (or "wheat-complexioned", to use the language of matrimonial ads), southerners are darker, and people in the east have Mongoloid features. In addition, over 70 million Indians belong to a variety of tribes, ranging from Proto-Australoici groups in Orissa, to Mon-Khmer peoples in the northeast. Equally diverse are India's languages. with 17 major regional languages, and hundreds of dialects. Hindi is spoken by the largest number of people. But it is nowhere near displacing the powerful regional languages such as Tamil, considered India's oldest living language, or Bengali that boasts a rich literature and a Nobel laureate, poet Rabindranath Tagore to boot. Though most Indian languages are derived from Sanskrit, they have developed their own distinct script and literature. The four main languages of the south, for instance, are more different from one another than, say, Italian is from Spanish. The Hindustani that is spoken in the streets of North and Central India is itself a blend of Sanskrit-derived Hindi and the Persian-inspired Urdu, a vibrant evidence of the cross-fertilization of cultures. The English language is among the lasting legacies of British rule in India. It is spoken by pan-Indian elite, widely used as a link language, and is the surest passport to upward mobility and also, thanks to the Internet to virtual reality. CULTURE India's culture, like its people is a rich mosaic whose myriad elements have been born of its ancient roots, its foreign influences and its regional variety. Its richness also stems from the manner in which the "Great" and "Little" traditions intertwine. India's classical music and dance are highly developed forms, based on texts that are 2,000 years old. At the same time, there are earthier folk traditions, as well as the song-and-dance routine of Bollywood films, that form the staple of popular culture. It is the same story in the visual arts and architecture. On one hand is the breathtaking grandeur of Mughal monuments or South Indian temples. On the other, is the simple elegance of village homes, made with local materials to suit the climate, such as the mud and thatch huts of the Rabaris of Kutch. Like elsewhere in the world, pre-modern Indian art is largely inspired by religious themes and nature. The Buddhist murals of Ajanta; the inlaid carvings of flowers and animals in Mughal and Rajput palaces; the exquisitely sculpted deities in Hindu and Jain temples; the miniatures and folk paintings illustrating scenes from the two great epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, are just a few examples. Indian handicrafts, which have grown out of ancient traditions, continue to thrive despite rapid industrialization and a fast growing market economy. Objects of utility as well as beauty, such as quilts, shawls, copper pots, clay water jars, lamps and agricultural tools are in daily use in millions of homes, hand-made by artisans who keep alive the skills and traditions of their ancestors. Religion and Society Religion and ritual pervade almost every aspect of life in India. Four major world religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, slainism and Sikhism — were founded here. India has the third largest number of Muslims in the world, and Christianity has ancient roots here, introduced into the country by the apostle, St Thomas, around 2,000 year ago. The Zoroastrians, who fled persecution in Persia in the 9th century, also made India their primacy home. On paper, 85 per cent of India's population is Hindus. But this figure does not quite convey the enormous fluidity of beliefs and practices that thrive under the broad rubric of Hinduism, which has evolved by interacting with all the other religions of India. It has become something of a cliche to say that Hinduism is not a religion per se but a way of life, but like most cliches it contains an essential truth. The Hindu religion has no single Book or God or prophet, and every community has its own favourite deity, chosen from an ever-expanding pantheon of gods. The "Great" and "Little" traditions that underline so much of Indian life are intrinsic to Hinduism as well. At one level, it is a religion of abstruse philosophy and metaphysical quests. It is this philosophical strain which has given India the reputation of being a "spiritual" land. For most Indians, however, religion is more a matter of rituals and ceremonies that mark each day, season and passage in life. Gods are not remote figures, but part of every household and street corner and worship can range from silent meditation to boisterous festivities. Though each sect has its own rules, rituals and taboos, ordinary Indians largely follow a "live and let live" philosophy. It is this underlying spirit of tolerance that has enabled India to remain a unique tapestry of varied cultures and faiths, notwithstanding periodic spells of strife. While attitudes towards religion tend to be relaxed, social hierarchies are far more rigid. Though beginning to crumble in recent decades, the patriarchal joint family structure, with its deep-rooted belief in arranged marriages, obedience to elders, and emphasis on duty over individual liberties, remains the norm in much of India. Poverty, illiteracy, and caste-based divisions remain evident, particularly in the countryside. Women continue to face in-equality and the girl child is still regarded as an unwanted burden in many communities. MODERN INDIA But things are changing, and changing quite rapidly. Across the country, the old certainties are giving way to new equations, creating both conflict and hope. A great deal of this change has been fuelled by India's vibrant, secular democracy, the largest in the world and, in recent years, also by new economic opportunities. Holiday packages in India organized by Swan Tours, include various experiences related to cuisine , shopping , architecture ,etc. Cinema, cricket and politics are arguably the three great national passions of India, enjoyed and dissected endlessly by all strata of Indian society. Of the three politics offers the greatest sense of participation blends with the old, tradition. Though many of the country's adapt to technology, continuity millions are unlettered and poor, they goes hand in hand with change unfailingly exercise their right to vote in election after election. The very fact that ordinary people can vote politicians in and out of office has given them a sense of power and pride that is gradually eroding their age-old subservience.
More visible evidence of a rapidly changing India is the emergence of a large “new middle class”. For several decades after Independence in 1947, India had a quasi-socialist mixed economy, dominated by the public sector. But in the 1990s, the government changed track and encouraged private enterprise and the entry of multinational corporations into India. The Information Technology (IT) revolution has also had an enormous impact on India. Computers and satellite television have, in a remarkably short time, dramatically changed people's mindsets. Not everyone has gained from the new technologies, and vast stretches of India remain under the seemingly eternal haze of heat and dust. But in town after small town, there are growing numbers of people who are better off than their parents could ever dream of being, wielding mobile phones, driving cars and chatting in cyber cafés. Whether this consumerist boom will fuel an economic miracle or increase inequality is a topic of much heated debate. One thing is certain, though. Winds of change never lead to radical ruptures in India. India Most Selling Tour Packages Here is list of India Most Selling Tour Packages:
Most popular tourist places in India Here is list of most popular tourist places in India: Ajmer, Rajasthan is a small and extremely busy town, with traffic that tends to be a fairly chaotic combination of pedestrians, camel carts, bicycles and cycle rickshaws. Getting around the town can be a harrowing experience for those who are used to wide roads and streamlined traffic, but it can also provide an interesting insight into life in the heart of Rajasthan. Options for transport include auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, tongas, taxis and hired cars, and rented cycles. For budget travellers, cycle rickshaws are by far and away the best bet; while for the adventurous, a rented cycle can be a great way to get acquainted with Ajmer- especially its less touristy areas, which still retain a distinctly medieval flavour about them. Chauffeur-driven cars can also be hired from tour operators and travel agents across town, and are a good idea if you are planning a day trip to nearby Pushkar. Lastly, for those who have a sturdy pair of legs: most of Ajmer's main sights are in close proximity to each other, and can be explored on foot. It might entail being pestered by touts, but walking your way around town is a great way to get up close and personal with Ajmer Rajasthan. Also Visit – Rajasthan tour packages Tourists travelling to Ajmer can choose from a handful of mid-rung and budget hotels in and around town. Ajmer Rajasthan doesn't have any five-star hotels as yet, but the properties that are available include 2-star, 3-star and heritage hotels which offer a number of facilities, such as currency exchange, travel desk, telecommunications and more. Among the cheaper options available are the RTDC guesthouses in Ajmer, and a range of cheap lodges and guesthouses, many of which stand opposite the Ajmer railway station. Visitors coming to Ajmer Rajasthan at the time of the annual Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (which is usually observed in May) must keep in mind that the town is literally inundated by thousands of pilgrims at this time. Hotels, guesthouses and other properties are full to bursting, and it is impossible to find accommodation if you have not booked a room in advance. Stunning handicrafts are not exactly Ajmer's forte. This town is a pilgrim centre, not a tourist attraction, and there are no traditional handicrafts that one must keep an eye out for. Shops and stalls in the town's crowded markets sell handicrafts from other parts of Rajasthan — such as block-printed or tie-and-dye textiles or camel leather jootis — but for those who are travelling to larger cities, it makes more sense to go shopping elsewhere, in places where there will be a more extensive range available. About the only souvenirs that are recommended are local silver jewellery and the carefully worked mementoes of the Dargah Sharif (such as prayer mats or beads) that are sold in the Dargah Bazaar, just outside the main entrance to the mausoleum. For more information on Ajmer Tour and travel Guide contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India. |
AuthorSwan Tours one of the leading travel agnets in India Archives
January 2018
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