ashokaholidays.blog

Pushkar Fair

2011-08-29T12:17:00.001+05:30

02nd – 10th November 2011

Pushkar camel fair is a grand display of Rajasthan's cultural and social spirit - spellbounding folk music and dances, camel races, tug-of-war, camel beauty contests and all. During the fair, Pushkar turns into a bustling temporary tent town when thousands of tourists, pilgrims, local rural people, traders, and camels and more camels tread this otherwise sleepy setting.

The grand affair actually centers on the trade mart of camels, horses and bullocks and the holy dip in the sacred waters of Pushkar lake and visit to the Temple of Hindu God of Creation, Brahma (the only one in the world). Tourists & pilgrims from around the world and traders from the nearby states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir flock in for their respective businesses.

| Pushkar - City Info | Pushkar Fair - Suggested Holidays | Other Holidays in India |

Varanasi - Travel Information

2011-08-11T11:47:00.005+05:30

"Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together".

- Mark Twain

Every morning the sunlight bring just one change in this 3000 year old city… that is the change in date… and nothing else.. Varanasi’s beauty lies in its retained heritage, rituals, traditions and customs. Sometimes you would feel that you are still living in that “Good Old World”.

The Ganga Aarti at Varanasi

The river Ganga, countless temples, chants of mantras and hymns, ringing of bells, devotion of pilgrims, holy dips at the ghats, boat ride at sunset and narrow lanes to move around. There are many images of Varanasi. Besides it is also called Kashi meaning ‘concentration of cosmic light’ and Banaras meaning ‘the place where juice of life is always readymade’.

The best thing to experience in this city apart from visiting the temples and walking along side the many ghats is the evening aarti of the Ganges. A hired boat would take you near the ghat from where you can see the seven decorated podiums set up on the banks of the river. Standing on each podium is a priest with an oil lit lamp (Diya) performing the aarti with various music instruments being played in the background with bhajans and hymns. This is something I would say is worth seeing at least once in a lifetime.

Varanasi is also the centre for some of India’s bigest universities. Banaras Hindi University, Mahatama Gandhi Kashi Vidhyapeeth are just to name a few.

How to reach Varanasi

Air : Well connected to New Delhi, Mumbai, Khujaraho and also has flight connections to Kathmandu.

Rail : Varanasi has its own station and is well connected to all major cities.

Road : Varanasi is 286 km from Lucknow, 565 km from Agra, 128 km from Allahabad, 330 km from Kanpur, 246 km from Patna, and just 10 km from Sarnath

Suggested Holidays

Best of North India – 19 Nights / 20 Days

Golden Triangle with Varanasi and Khajuraho – 09 Nights / 10 Days

OTHER HOLIDAYS IN INDIA

WHAT IS THE 'GOLDEN TRIANGLE TOUR' in India?

2011-07-07T10:54:00.001+05:30

Golden Triangle Tour in India comprises of the three most touristic cities of the country located in the north western area – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. These cities are well connected by road and rail links. On the map, these form a roughly equilateral triangle, some 200-250km along each side. This triangle is called golden because of the brilliant cultural wealth and beautiful history it offers in each of the three cities.

You can spend weeks in the fascinating Indian capital of Delhi, and not see it all. Jaipur the capital of the desert state of Rajasthan is famous for its markets and Rajput culture. And Agra needs no description, the world famous Taj Mahal is located here. This tour is certainly the best for all those who have never been to the subcontinent before. So just get going by taking a flight to New Delhi.

Some people say that if India is a book then Delhi certainly is its Index page. Certainly it is a remarkably amiable entry-point to the nation. Exploring this city which has absorbed various cultures from all across the country over the time will give you a rewarding experience. At any time of the year you will find a lot of tourists roaming around in this city. You can spend some time to see the Red Fort, Purana Killa, Humayu’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate and other touristic spots in the city. Don’t miss out on ‘Delli Haat’ if you plan to shop in Delhi. Souvenirs from all across the country are available here. (Tourist Attractions in Delhi)

Jaipur as mentioned above is commercial and administrative capital of Rajasthan. What gives this place a special mention in all tourist guidebooks is the city’s alluringly frenetic old quarter popularly known as Pink City named after its red-washed building walls which now have become like a shopping paradise selling almost everything. Rajasthan is famous for its remarkable architecture a glimpse of this you can find in Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar etc. Evenings can be utilized to roam around in the market areas. To buy or not to buy is entirely up to you. (Tourist Attractions in Jaipur)

Now moving on to Agra, which completes the triangle. Famous for its Mogul Architecture this place is the home town to one of the 7 wonders of the world – The Taj Mahal. Some other places to visit are Agra Fort, Tomb of Itmad-ud-daula etc. If time permits visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise to see the changing colors of this epitome of love. Not yet tired.. then use your evening to see a 6D show called ‘Mohabbat The Taj’ show at ‘Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Centre’ which is an exceptionally inviting song and dance drama based on a love story set in the 17th century (the period of the construction of Taj) ambience and spun around this great edifice of love. (Tourist Attractions in Agra)

After the completion of this tour you will have enough of memories to take along from this country called India. This will surely make you think of visiting this country again to see more and more of it.

Abhaneri Step-Well in Rajasthan India

2011-06-10T15:14:00.001+05:30

Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bundi, etc etc. you would find in almost all the guidebooks on the state of Rajasthan. What you won’t find very easily is this small village called Abhaneri which has something so unique and beautiful to offer.

Located here is Chanda Baodi which is India’s one of the oldest and deepest step-wells. Built by a Rajput King these step-wells were once used as for royal baths along with serving the purpose of reservoirs. This step-well had separate royal bathrooms for males and females with big verandahs to stand in sunlight. All this over looks thousands of criss-cross steps which are steep and which make a pattern of upside down Vs. These steps were used to descend till the level of water.

Adjacent to this step-well is the Harshat Mata Hindu temple which was build way back in the eighth century. Devoted to goddess Durga this temple was worshipped after the royal bathing.

You can still find remains if stone carving throughout the walls of the step-well and the temple structure.

Excavation of this site began under the Archaeological Survey if India in 1955 and it was open to public in 1960. This place where you would hardly find any vendors or souvenir shops has now come in limelight and a part of many travel itineraries.

Abhaneri is located 90 Km away from Jaipur on the Agra Road. It can easily be used as a stopover destination between these two cities to give an altogether new look to the Golden Triangle Tour.

Incredible India Experience..!!!

2011-05-24T11:02:00.002+05:30

Delivered in the past, delivering at present and a promise to deliver the same experience in the future...

Yes, we promise to deliver to all our guests an Incredible India experience every time they travel in India with us.

Below are some pictures of Mr. Siegfried Trunk and family, our guest from Germany, who gave us an opportunity to serve them for yet another time due to a good past experience with us a few years back.

As you say pictures speak more than words... so here you go..!!

Brand New

2011-05-10T13:41:00.000+05:30

Green Triangle Tour, India

A Tour that takes you to Kaziranga National Park- to see the one horned Rhinoceros, Guwahati the Gateway City to North-East of India and to Shillong, home of the Khasi Highland tribe, also known as the Scotland of the east.

Day 01 Arrival at Guwahati

After a brief welcome ceremony on arrival at Guwahati drive to city and check into your hotel room. Overnight stay at Guwahati.

Day 02 Guwahati-Kaziranga National Park

After breakfast visit Kamakhya Temple, a Major Hindu Pilgrimage site. During the festival of Ambubashi more than a million devotees throng this holy place. Return to hotel after paying homage to the mother goddess Kamakhya and drive on to famous Kaziranga National park (220 kms 4 hrs drive). Check into a Jungle resort on arrival. In the afternoon visit nearby Tea Estate. Stay overnight at Kaziranga.

Day 03 Kaziranga

Early morning (5:30 am) explore central Range of Kaziranga National Park on Elephant Safari. On return explore the eastern range on a jeep safari. Return for lunch and proceed to Western Range of Kaziranga National Park on jeep. Stay overnight at Kaziranga.

Day 04 Kaziranga-Shillong

After an early morning breakfast drive to Shillong (280 Kms / 6 hrs drive). Have Lunch en-route at Borapani Umiam Lake, a majestic placid lake with its surrounding sylvan hills. Check in at your hotel. In the afternoon visit the local market. Stay Overnight at your hotel in Shillong.

Day 05 Shillong: Cherrapunjee, Waterfalls, Cave, Lake

After breakfast drive to Cherrapunjee (60 Kms / 1.5 hr), the wettest place in the world. The beautiful waterfall-Noh-ka-likai is at Cherrapunjee you can also explore some of the caves in and around Cherrapunjee. Return to Shillong, en-route visit Elephanta falls and Shillong peak for some breathtaking views. Stay overnight at your hotel in Shillong.

Day 06 Shillong-Guwahati: Ward lake, Hydari Park

Morning sightseeing at Shillong, visit Ward Lake and Hydari Park. Admire the beauty of Shillong, also called Scotland of the East. It is erstwhile capital of undivided Assam and present Northeast and home to the Khasi highland tribes. After lunch drive back to Guwahati (100 Kms). In the evening take a cruise on Mighty Brahmaputra River. Stay overnight at your hotel in Guwahati.

Day 07 Depart

After breakfast day at leisure till you depart for your onward journey.

More Information > Contact Us > Click Here

Indian Summer Holidays

2011-04-21T11:26:00.002+05:30

Mount Abu	Places to See	Suggested Itineraries
For its salubrious clime, Mount Abu is often referred to as ‘An Oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan’. It is a little unassuming hill station; but then considering the topography of the entire region it gives a feel of a gentle breeze in the midst of gusty hot winds all around. For the unawares, this is the only hill station of the North Western India.

Ladakh	Places to See	Suggested Itineraries
A stretch of Tibet in terms of culture & topography Ladakh is a vast-cold-rock-and-desert expanse averaging 3500m in altitude and is neighbored by lush green Kashmir valley & Himachal Pradesh. It is sparsely populated with approx. 0.2 million humans. The unique profile of Ladakh’s landscape renders it a suitable destination for Jeep Safari, Biking, Trekking, Rafting, Mountaineering, Wildlife & Bird watching.

Munnar	Places to See	Suggested Itineraries
If your predilection is for the woods, waterfalls and mountains, one place that will always remain close to your heart, ever after you have visited it, is the quintessential hill town of Munnar. Swathed in the velvety green carpet of tea plantations, it is one of the most romantic landscapes of the world. Eternal beauty and serenity that pervades all round penetrates through your senses to touch your soul.

Darjelling	Places to See	Suggested Itineraries
On your way to Darjeeling notice the long ferns drooping from the hill side, the tea gardens, the dense & dark scented forests of pine, swirling mist, the much talked about toy train chugging uphill and so often criss-crossing the motor road; and your heart instantly fills up with immense freshness. No wonder you are on your way to the ‘Queen of hills’ that lies nestled in the Himalayan region of West Bengal. It is perhaps the oldest hill town to be stationed and explored by the British.

Gangtok	Places to See	Suggested Itineraries
Ensconced on a ridge flanking the Ranipool river, Gangtok at an altitude of 1870 m, is a destination that would lure anyone who has a taste for natural beauty and an inclination or interest in the Buddhist religion and culture. For it is a place that has beautiful monasteries, including the esteemed Rumtek - the head quarter of Kagyu order; vistas as breath taking as the awe-inspiring Khangchendzonga – the third highest mountain peak in the world.

Farm House Stay in Jaipur

2011-04-12T17:08:00.002+05:30

Many of you would have experienced a stay in a Luxurious Five Star Hotel in India or a Heritage property but what about a Farm House stay and that too in one of the most prominent tourist city of Jaipur. Yes we have found out and excellent option for people who wish to stay in the outskirts of the city away from the hustle bustle of the town.

Savista Retreat is located in the Jaipur - Ajmer route just 45 minutes drive from the sightseeing spots of Jaipur like City Palace, Jantar Mantar etc.

Tried and tested by us and really appreciated by our guests this Farm House would make you experience the true and wonderful countryside of the state of Rajasthan. What you need to do is just tell the manager to arrange for a camel ride. All other activities will be taken care of. The camel owner would take you to near by villages where you could meet local men and women. Some people also might invite you to their residence to show you what an Indian village hut looks like.

Moreover this place is a wonderful option to stay if you are a nature lover as it is surrounded by lush green farms from all sides. You may see various farming activities around the premises of this farm house.

Although you may feel that being on the outskirts this property won’t have much of amenities and facilities. But that the catch…. Here you can enjoy swimming in fresh water, tennis and various other outdoor games. You may find garden benches and hammocks placed at various locations which you can select as per your convenience. Unlike other hotels this place has open access to the roof top where various seating options are available to relax. This farm house also has an excellent video library where you can spend time in the evening.

Experience of a Life Time

2011-04-05T12:21:00.002+05:30

Team Ashoka scores again...!!!!

Mrs. and Mr. Peter Duffield from Canada were here at our office yesterday after finishing the regular city tour of Jaipur. We got to know from them that they had keen interest in Interior Designing and Cooking. To give them a memorable experience we took them to our home, with there permission of course...

We started off with the drawing and living room followed by the bed rooms. I am sure Indian Architecture and Interiors are different than that in Canada. They were really impressed by the wood work in the rooms.

Our next stop was at the Kitchen. We had a general discussion about Indian way of cooking and about some indian spices and how they are used.

Last but not the least they had a cup of "Masala Chai" aka some Ginger-Cardamom Tea with all of us along with some Indian Sweets and Snacks.

Just before the departure we had a informal ceremony in which they were honored and handed over a small gift from my family's side.

I hope they enjoyed the experience as much as my family did in spending time with them. We will cherish these memories for a long time. I hope Mr. & Mrs. Duffiled will do the same....

Grass Skiing Comes to India

2011-03-26T18:33:00.002+05:30

Snow or no snow the skiers can now zoom down the alpine slopes of Solang valley and test their endurance in the green heights.

With its foray into the adventure sport of Grass Skiing, Himachal Pradesh will very soon be an all time skiing destination. It will be the first Indian site to offer this adventure activity. Grass skiing was invented by Richard Martin in Germany in 1966. It was created initially as a training method for skiers before the winter season. Grass skiing is now a well recognized international sport and has a world cup too!

Solang Valley or Solang Nullah, 13 km north from the oversubscribed tourist destination of Manali, was until now known for its snow skiing slopes. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) at Manali is hopeful to begin the activity by August – September this year. The required equipments have been procured from Europe and the thick variety of grass has been planted at this 250 ft long and 30 ft wide patch. The period between July to November is considered the best for this sport, when quality green grass is there.The good news is that the authorities plan to keep it inexpensive to lure the budget travelers also.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Himachal-to-introduce-grass-skiing/Article1-495266.aspx

Special Tours In India

2011-03-12T13:30:00.005+05:30

source: Special Tours Of India on ashokaholidays

The Taste Of India - A Gourmet Tour In India

9 days Tour: For The Gourmets Wishing To Dig Into The Indian Platter!!

Indulge in the most varied and much talked about cuisines from different regions of India. Dinner in ethnic resorts at Amritsar and Jaipur ...Conversation with chefs at high end restaurants...Dinner at Bukhara, one of finest restaurants of the world that has served the likes of Bill Clinton. A Cooking class at Jaipur. Spice plantation visit at Thekkady

blog-posts: gourmet tour in india | images-slideshowing-gourmet-tour-ingredients | amritsar-for-pilgrimage-and-food | a-video-at-our-chef's-class

Knotty Indian Affair - A Wedding Tour In India

3 days Tour + Event: For The Couples Wishing To Tie-Knot In India!

For our guests, who fancy a colorful Indian wedding team Ashoka Holidays has planned an abridged version of it wherein all the important rituals and few interesting customs have been incorporated.

blog-posts: venutian and martian - this is important

A Different Stay Everyday - A Leisure Tour In Kerala

Exploring Kerala In A Different Style

The destinations remain the most popular ones only, the experience comes from the accommodations types offered at each of these destinations. This would be an absolute leisure tour with minimum sightseeing so that you can enjoy your stay to the core, for where else would you find the luxury of staying in a tree house, houseboat, ayurveda resort, ashram, floating cottages, heritage hotel and homestay on a single tour.

blogposts: beauty of doing nothing

A Learning Experience In Kerala - An Enriching Tour

For Those Who Learn and Travel - not necessarily in that order!

...Leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time, take nothing but pictures plus knowledge , to show you came by. Allow your holiday to inform you better about the spices we use, the tea we sip, the classical dance of India we enjoy, the yoga excer sizes we practise, the ayurveda sessions we relish.

Religions of India - A Journey Across Faiths

11 days Tour: For those who wish to get colored with religious-cultural mosaic of India

Add religion to your travel motive. And India will surely cross your mind and plan. When it does, try Religions of India, the 11 days tour that highlights - the glimpse of few of the various faiths that have existed in India maintaining their own dignity; India's biggest mosque (Islam), Lotus temple (Bahai), Golden temple (Sikhism), Monasteries ( Buddhism), Vaisno devi (Hinduism); Arti (evening prayer) on the banks of holy river Ganges; 11 days tour across Delhi - Haridwar - Amritsar-Dharamshala - Jammu (Vaishno Devi)

blogposts: india via religion

Beauty of doing nothing!

2011-03-10T17:21:00.004+05:30

Had read somewhere in the bestseller novel (also now being made into a movie starring Julia Roberts) ‘Eat Pray and Love’ by Elizabeth Gilbert that Italians very well understand and appreciate the beauty of doing nothing. Rather, they are adept in the art of doing nothing. Interestingly, I was off to Kerala while I came across this intriguing piece of information. The thought was appealing. And the realization was more so, in my case, in the wake of a schedule packed with sightseeing. Poor me couldn’t forsake sightseeing for I was on an official trip and it was my job to develop an itinerary for the world wanting to holiday in Kerala.

Was weighing the idea of designing a holiday that would ensure total relaxation(??) Providentially could easily spot the prospects for it in the God’s own country. However, to play safe and to counter the arguments of many who would better relax at home and conserve their currency, I chose a run-of-the-mill itinerary and added a dragée to this hot cake like tour program.

And christened the tour plan as ‘A Different Stay Everyday’

houseboat on backwaters

tree-house @ Wayanad

homestay @ Alappuzha

Ayurveda resort @ Kovalam

Following this route gets you a rare opportunity to tour around Kerala, the God’s own country, with a very interesting experience. The destinations remain the most popular ones only but, as the name suggests, the experience comes from the accommodations that would be offered to you at each of these destinations.

This would be an absolute leisure tour with minimum sightseeing so that you can enjoy your stay to the core, for where else would you find the luxury of staying in such an assortment of accommodation units.

The high point of the tour is that the destinations chosen have pretty much for sightseeing also. So, the program is suitable even for those traveling in groups comprising of people with varied interests. While those who wish to go for sightseeing can explore the place, the others can laze back pampering their body and soul.

If this tour plan is extended by a few days (3-4) only, it is possible to do complete sightseeing of these places that would include the wild life sanctuary of Wayanad, heritage monuments at Kochi, temples and palaces around Alappuzha and Kovalam.

Destinations covered

Wayanad (tree house) - Kochi (heritage hotel) - Alappuzha (homestay and houseboat) - Kovalam (ayurveda resort) - Neyyar Dam (ashram)

Best time to visit

October to March as it is comfortable weather-wise.
N.B As Ayurveda forms a part of this travel program, monsoon (June-September) is ideal for Ayurvedic treatment. However, rainfall may play a spoilsport for any of your sightseeing plan

So, try this itinerary, explore a place in different style, live the art of living and feel the beauty of doing nothing!

Ladakh Monastic Festivals

2011-03-02T13:11:00.001+05:30

Before you think India goes off for a summer sleep from June till September you surely forgot to see North. Extreme North of India. Where Ladakh comes alive during the same period. In case you knew it and were already weighing this-years'-place-to-see add few more things to Ladakh's profile. Add these colorful monastic festivals to see the best of region and religion.

Here's a list for a few of the monastic festivals that will spice your travel to Ladakh, of course, if timed around any of them:

Names Of The Festival

Venue

2011

2012

2013

2014

Hemis Tse-Chu or the hemis festival	Hemis Monastery	JUL 10,11	JUN 29,30	JUN 18,19	JUL 7,8
Yuru Kabgyat (Lamayuru)	Lamayuru Monastery	JUN 28,29	JUNE 16,17	JUN 5,6	JUN 24,25
Karsha Gustor (Zanskar)	Karsha Monastery	JUL 27,28	JUL 16,17	JUL 6,7	JUL 24,25
Ph-Yang Tsedup (Phyang)	Phyang Monastery	JUL 28,29	JUL 16,17	JUL 6,7	JUL 24, 25
Korzok Gustor (Tso Moriri Lake)	Korzok Monastery	AUG 2,3	JUL 22,23	JUL 11,12	JUL 30,31
Dak-Thok Tse-Chu	Dakthok Monastery	AUG 8,9	JUL 28,29	JUL 18,19	AUG 6,7
Sant Naro Nasjal (Zanskar)	Sani Monastery	AUG 12,13	AUG 1,2	JUL 21,22	AUG 9,10
Shachukul Gustor	Shachukul Monastery	JUL 17,18	JUL 5,6	JUN 25,26	JUL 14,15

*The above Monastic Festival schedule based on Tibetan Calendar for tourist’s reference

When and What in Ladakh

Best time to visit: June – October to have the Most of Ladakh
Mid-Jan – End-Feb to do the Frozen Cheddar Trek
Rest of the year – visit Monasteries; Festivals of Stok, Matho and Tibetan New Year; or the Sham trek.

Travel show opens in the Capital

2011-02-25T11:40:00.004+05:30

Delhi : The country’s biggest travel show, TTF&OTM, was inaugurated today, 24 Feb 2011, at the Ashok Hotel, by Shri Sultan Ahmed, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism, Government of India, in the presence of senior diplomats and a large number of dignitaries and officials from the travel and hospitality industry from all over India and abroad.

India is a coveted outbound market, currently with 12 million Indians traveling overseas annually, and a growth rate of 12-13 per cent per year projected till 2015. As many as 27 countries are represented at the show apart from participation from 17 Indian States.

Mr. Ahmed said that travel and tourism remained a key driver of economic growth globally. According to World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Country Report for India, travel and tourism sector contributes 8.6 per cent to the GDP, which is expected to increase to 9 per cent by 2020. The sector currently employs 4.9 crore people and this is projected to increase to 5.8 crore by 2020.

source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article1487072.ece

Amber fort during sound and light show, Jaipur

2011-02-24T15:32:00.003+05:30

amber fort during sound and light show, jaipur, originally uploaded by indiaimagegallery (ashokaholidays).

The above son-et-lumiere at Jaipur is the best one place to sit, relax and immerse oneself into the history of the 'Land of Maharajas', Rajasthan There's more at Gourmet Tour In India

Elephants, Colors, Music, Dances, Feasts...India

2011-02-23T16:49:00.008+05:30

"India is a land of festivals and fairs". That’s what I inherited and mugged-by-heart during my early essay-writing classes. I never questioned this time-worn expression then. Now, I believe in it. Someone who believes with me in this cliché in the first place, Thank you!

For the non-believers I’ll briefly trot out the top attractions of the first two months of the calendar:

2 Dance Festivals saw Indian Classical & folk Dances & Music being showcased at Mamallapuram Dance Festival (Tamil Nadu) and Khajuraho Dance Festival (Madhya Pradesh)

3 Festivals of the Desert – one each at Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Nagaur.(Rajasthan)

A Crafts Mela at Surajkund (Near Delhi)

Uttrayan at Ahmedabad (Gujarat), which in common tourists’ lingo is called as ‘International Kite Festival’

Partying and Merrymaking at the Carnival et Goa

So, by now, we have Kites, crafts, camels, cattle, cuisines, dances, music, carnival and so on…and the good news is ‘it ain’t over yet’. Add colors to the list for it’s Happy holi!. And if it’s not enough club it with some 40-odd Elephants parading and thumping the ground of Chaugan Stadium at Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, the state that will spoil you with reasons to visit it.

Finally, in polite terms, shall I ask you “Where the bloody hell are you?”

To make it easy, I have attached the Golden Triangle Tour that could be scheduled around the Festival of Giant Pachyderms, i.e. the elephant festival, on 10th March**.

Regards,

Amit

Ashoka Holidays Private Limited

** Date is 19th March for 2011 for the elephant festival. The above is my mail to my aussie friends, dated 1st March 2009, inspiring them to settle for India for their next vacation

source
http://www.ashokaholidays.com/elephant-festival-travelogue.html

Backyard

2011-02-21T16:03:00.008+05:30

Our office's backyard was littered with 10 of these cute little puppies. The video is from their good-old mummy days. the pups are still there for adoption.

We posted the thing on facebook,

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Stray-Adoption/187536994608352

More than the pale looking campaign on facebook our friends network worked for 1 lucky pup that found home.Now we are left with 4 of them.

IDEAS INVITED @ backoffice@ashokaholidays.com or log.amit@gmail.com

India via religion

2011-02-16T14:23:00.016+05:30

lamp of faith - photo by anjali

Next time you wish to travel with a difference or a subject add religion to it. India will surely cross your mind and itinerary. Let us find a little.

India's religious identity, today, is an expression formed by the presence of world's oldest religion and customs complimented by those of the incoming explorers, traders, immigrants, invaders and conquerors, which gave birth to many of its off-shoot school of thoughts and practices and religions.

statistics speak volume of the religious-cultural profile of India, cross-check authentic source for we, the promoter and seller of country so vivid, might have bragged in the process...

India has played mother to four of the world's major religious traditions viz. Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
India has the largest population of people adhering to Zoroastrianism and Bahá'í Faith anywhere in the world.
Third largest Muslim population in the world is in India

No wonder this profile shows in its landscape in the form of places like Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk, where Azaan from Jama Masjid, Bhajan from a Gauri-Shankar Mandir , Musical Instruments from the Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, Ardaas from the Shishganj Gurudwara creates the religio-musical harmony without getting pushy and the Central Baptist Church is the mute listener save for the Sundays when even it is abuzz with mass and prayers!

saffron and sadhu are but only the guidebook image of the religions of India - photo by anjali

So, I echo, next time you wish to travel with a difference or a subject add religion to it. India will surely cross your mind and plan. When it does, try Religions of India, the 11 days tour that highlights:

Glimpse of few of the various faiths that have existed in India maintaining their own dignity.
India's biggest mosque (Islam), Lotus temple (Bahai), Golden temple (Sikhism), Monasteries ( Buddhism), Vaisno devi (Hinduism)
Arti (evening prayer) on the banks of holy river Ganges
11 days tour across Delhi - Haridwar - Amritsar-Dharamshala - Jammu (Vaishno Devi)

http://www.ashokaholidays.com/pilgrimage-tour-packages.html

International Yoga Festival

2011-02-14T13:22:00.001+05:30

Venue: Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh

Time Period : 1 - 7 March 2011

This annual Festival is organized jointly by the Uttarakhand Tourism and Parmarth Niketan Ashram. The program includes over 100 hours of Yoga classes from world class Yoga teachers plus evening discussions with some of India's leading spiritual leaders

Daily Program

Start everyday at 6.30 am with a 1 hour yoga class, followed by a simple breakfast.
At 8.30 am you can join one of three 2 hour yoga sessions followed by a series of lectures from 11.00 am to 12.30 pm.
A traditional Indian lunch is served from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm.
The afternoon starts at 2.30 pm with three instructional classes followed by three Yoga classes from 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm.
From 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm attend the special light ceremony, Aarti on the river Ganga.
Dinner is served at 7.30 pm followed by an evening with spiritual leaders finishing by 9.30 pm.

Additional events

Special Indian Vegetarian Cooking Lessons
Lectures on the connection between mind-body
Cultural song-dance programs musical performances

The International Yoga Festival is open to all, with full accommodation, food and the 7 day Yoga conference program included at the certain composite cost.

source:
ashokaholidays.com/india-travel-happenings.html#Internattional-Yoga-Festival

Kathak @ Khajuraho Dance Festival

2011-02-12T11:24:00.051+05:30

'kathaa kahe so kathak' , meaning 'that which tells a Story is Kathak'

The North Indian dance style Kathak is one of India's eight classical dance forms. Kathak, meaning a storyteller were originally the nomadic bards of ancient Northern India which also included Pakistan. Narrating mythological and moral tales from scriptures during those period Kathak, evolved into a much bigger dance form involving influences from the Bhakti era, Mughal Era and from Central Asia. This Classical Dance form is still alive and presently has four Gharanas or schools: Jaipur, Lucknow and Benaras or present day Varanasi and the fourth gharana is Raigarh.

The above video was taken at he Khajuraho Dance Festival, which is being held for three decades, and is organised every year jointly by the culture department and Ustad Alauddin Khan Sangeet and Kala Academy.

And a little important

"...For me it was a wonderful experience and the only one of a dance festival. But, I have a word of advice, of course not for the connoisseurs but others of my type who are planning to attend the dance festival to double the worth of their money and time they spend in visiting Khajuraho. If you do not follow classical dance much then you must attend this festival on the days when there are group performances as you can then enjoy their harmonious movements without going into the details of the dance form with which you are not that well versed. But,overall, I can emphatically say that music and dance are such universal expressions of emotion that you just don’t require to understand them really; they automatically find their pathways into your heart and mind to lead you to the ultimate trance."

.....an excerpt from a travelogue - 3 d's at Khajuraho: Dance, Devotion and Deity at Ashoka Holidays.

P.S. So, have you been to the just concluded Khajuraho Dance Festival whose dates were changed to 1-7 Feb for 2011 and may stay changed for the future.

Once More, The Olden Golden Triangle

2011-02-09T16:18:00.000+05:30

If the title sounds too worn-out to be even bothered a feel, Delhi, Agra and/or Jaipur also appear on two of our special tours to India

Delhi - Agra - Jaipur…anyone who has slightest of hint about tourist places in India can easily decipher what is being referred to. They are the three vertices of the most sellable and much talked about triangle tour in the heart of India. For the unawares, the Golden Triangle Tour is unarguably the quintessential tour of Indian Tourism Industry for it has all the features that support it qualify for such a title. Each of these three cities is reasonably high on all the parameters of tourism industry viz. attractions, accommodation and accessibility

The places covered on the itinerary are the most sought after destinations in India thereby making the circuit one of the most frequented and best known tours in India
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are at short distance from each other and are very well connected especially by road. Delhi has India’s major international airport and thus majority of the inbound tourists have to embark their tour of India from Delhi.
They are replete with a range of accommodation options. Hotel Imperial at Delhi, Amarvilas at Agra and Rajvilas at Jaipur list among the top hotels of the world.
The Golden Triangle circuit gives the traveler a wholesome experience of India in merely 6 nights/7 days and can be done without much expense.

see shop savor @ delhi

The capital of India, Delhi, offers you the unique opportunity to get a glimpse of each and every corner of India as Delhi is basically a city of migrants. By virtue of its strategic location, it is and has been the most happening city of the country. Every crumbling wall of Delhi has a story to tell. It is the best place of experience the range and richness of India in every aspect be it culture, cuisine, and craft etc….or anything for that matter.

See – Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humanyun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Akshardham temple, Lotus temple, India Gate, Rajghat, National museum, crafts museum, rail museum, international doll museum, Dilli Haat etc read about these Delhi tourists attractions

Shop - You can practically find anything from any of the States of India.

Savor – Chaat (spicy snacks) and Mughlai food at Karim’s. Delhi has the best restaurants of the country so you can get to taste most of the things you look for.

see shop savor @ agra

A city with 3 world heritage sites to flaunt definitely deserves a visit, especially if one is a history buff. Being the city of Taj Mahal, Agra has emerged as the face of India’s tourism industry to the world. Akbar, the 16th century Great Mughal Emperor, who recently appeared in the TIME magazine’s top 25 political icons of the world, catapulted Agra's status to a world renowned capital city while his grandson Shahjahan with his dream in white stone (Taj Mahal) has made it an eternal city.

See – Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Tomb of Itmad-ud-daula, Sikandra. read about these Agra tourists attractions

Shop – Marble art pieces

Savor – Mughlai (non – vegetarian) food, Namkeen, petha, bedami kachori with aloo sabzi (hot spicy potato curry with deep fried stuffed bread) and jalebi

see shop savor @ jaipur

The cultural hub of India, Jaipur is one of the most enticing tourist destinations of India. Every nook and corner of the city corroborates its cultural richness. Painted in pink (the color of hospitality) to welcome the Prince of Wales, come Jaipur to check if the hospitality quotient still exists.

See – Amber fort, Jaigarh fort, Nahargarh fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Albert Hall, Birla temple, Govind dev ji temple. read about these Jaipur tourists attractions.

Shop – Gems and jewellery, blue pottery, brocaded saris, suits and sherwanis, block printed clothes, puppets, lac bangles etc.

Savor – Dal, bati, churma, gatte ki sabji, ker sangri, pyaaz ki kachori, mirchi vada, ghevar

Tour Making - an excerpt

2011-02-07T13:24:00.012+05:30

"...Initially, I asked my wife for any five reasons to invest our time and money on some Dance festival in some part of India, to which came her retort:

“The festival of Indian Dances… classical and all...performed by the best in the field…I have been waiting for such a thing and Khajuraho Dance festival is late”
“Weather’s great at the tropics”
“Venue is a beach resort and its beaches are inviting”
“Venue’s a world heritage site too and the bas relief is the largest in the world”
“I have made my mind and you’re coming, the fifth one!”

A man of sound reason and quick decision, I could easily sense the logic in the fifth reason and readily joined her humming “Be, what you wanna be, taking things the way they come, nothing is as nice as agreeing to your wife and sipping on the tropical fun…here in Mahabalipuram!!”. No doubt, mine was a good decision..."

The above is an excerpt from an interesting account documented by one of our repeat traveler guests (a couple) for ashokaholidays post their mamallapuram-sojourn

Video - Gourmet Tour in India

2011-02-05T12:43:00.013+05:30

Ashokaholidays does a surprise visit to Sameer Gupta - aka Uncle Sam - at his kitchen where the class for Italian delicacy is on. Uncle Sam, the renowned Culinary Expert , is one of Ashokaholidays' Food-Mentor cum Chef for the gourmets from around the world. For the foodies waiting to dig into India have a Taste of India, the gourmet tour in India

related posts
http://ashokaholidays.blogspot.com/2011/02/images-gourmet-tour-in-india.html
http://ashokaholidays.blogspot.com/2011/01/gourmet-tour-in-india.html
http://www.ashokaholidays.com/gourmet-tour-in-india.html

Images - Gourmet Tour in India

2011-02-05T10:41:00.012+05:30

Following pictures have been been done while exploring the foods of India. The tour is for the gourmets wishing to dig into India and to indulge in the most varied and much talked about cuisines from different regions of India. Well come to have a Taste of India, the gourmet tour in India

Venusian and Martian, this is important!

2011-02-04T11:12:00.023+05:30

Which tour operator bugged your inbox last with its Indian wedding tour. No need to reply on this but it is to share a phenomenon catching all agents, operators, couples and celebrities to opt for the big fat Indian wedding and the related tour. It was imminent for the offering is such like and the world is full of restless souls who want to turn one lifetime into many and define joie-de-vevre in their own individual terms.

No we were not spurred by the celebrities tying knot herein India (Heidi Kulm-Seal, Katty Perry-Russel Brand, Elizabeth Hurley-Arun Nayyar and Brangelina, the upcoming one!). But rather a lot of inquiries and interests shown by our traveler guests about the Indian weddings.

Can I just get myself clicked in bridal couture and against a heritage complex...yes, why not quite similar to the way in which honeymooners and families get themselves dressed up and photographed in traditional clothing in Manali).

Can we see an Indian marriage...o yes, bring some time with you, say an evening or a day extra, and we will cross-check for available traditional wedding, and make it!

Can we tie-knot the Indian style in Rajasthan for we have already decided our honeymoon to be in kerala...yes, okay, we'll do it.

But the most interesting was this post-script attached to an inquiry from one of our repeat client "also, can you arrange for my 34th wedding anniversary functions in ethnic Indian customs. It solves two purposes: first, my 7 year old grand twins have been complaining why i didn't take them along when i married their grand-mother. second, not as cute though, even i wish to get myself tied to jenny again and again and what better than Indian seven circumambulations!"

Pushed, esp by the last message, team Ashoka Holidays wasted little time and thoughts and shared knotty Indian Affair at several trade fairs where the response said it all. Good job. Let's do it!

P.S. Here at Ashoka Holidays headquarters, we have a huge campus and a backyard where usually this writer and a keen photographer shoots many of his pictures of coucal, hoopoe, shikra, peahen, scorpion, snakes and all. As if lady luck had planned it, half of it is turning into a wedding point owned by the owners of Ashoka Holidays only!!! No we aren't turning into wedding planner. For our travelers and tourists from around the world we'll always stay yours sincerely the Indian tour operators!