Must Know Facts About the Char Dham Yatra

By

-

March 20, 2018

Facts-About-the-Char-Dham-Yatra — Way to Kedarnath Temple – Devajyoti Sarkar Via Flickr

The ‘Char Dham’ yatra is considered an important, once in a lifetime, pilgrimage by followers of the Vaishnavi stream of Hinduism. Sanskrit word Char Dham literally means ‘four shrines’. It can also be interpreted as correlated with the four directions.

The significance of these holy places is mentioned in all the four Vedas, namely, the Atharva Veda, the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, and the Sama Veda. They speak of places related to the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu and his various incarnations. Adi Shankaracharya, a Hindu theologian and philosopher propounded that pilgrimages to these four holiest shrines is essential for the attainment of Moksha, or salvation, of any human soul, particularly that which is entrapped by material and carnal desires, and the actions taken for their fulfillment.

Facts about the Char Dham Yatra

According to ancient scriptures, Char Dham Yatra consists of visiting and offering prayers at the following seven locations: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri in Uttarakhand, Dwarka in Gujarat, Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, and Puri in Odisha.

The distant span of these shrines makes it difficult for most Indians to cover all the seven locations. Hence, a majority of Hindus opt for what is often referred as the “Chota Char Dham Yatra”. This pilgrimage covers the four shrines in Uttarakhand.

Several travel companies now term this pilgrimage in Uttarakhand as “the Char Dham Yatra”, as it covers four shrines.

Understanding the Yatra

For anyone wanting to undertake the Char Dham Yatra, to the four holy shrines in Uttarakhand, here are some important details.

Access to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri is open for only six months every year. First from March to May and then from September to November.
More than one million pilgrims from India and abroad take the Char Dham pilgrimage every year.
The Central Government and the Government of Uttarakhand are upgrading infrastructure including roads, rails and air connectivity, laying better highways, improving healthcare facilities, and other services required by pilgrims.
Several top travel companies in India now offer visits to the four shrines in Uttarakhand by helicopter.
The Karnataka government provides subsidy to those members of the economically weaker sections of the state’s population who wish to undertake the Char Dham

Char Dham Travel Tips

The Char Dham Yatra has been marred by several natural disasters. In 2013, a cloudburst in Kedarnath and the ensuing landslides trapped over 100,000 tourists. In 2017, a total of 112 pilgrims perished due to health complications ranging from respiratory problems at high altitudes to cardiac arrests.

To make your Char Dham Yatra safe, keep these tips in mind

The safest way to perform the Char Dham Yatra is by booking a package with any of the top 10 travel agencies of India. This way, your travel, accommodation and guided visits to shrines are assured. Medical facilities are also pre-arranged by these travel companies.
Obtain a Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage ID card issued by the Uttarakhand Government to registered pilgrims. This ensures your access from the government, in case of emergencies.
Practice walking for long durations well in advance before embarking on Char Dham Yatra. This will ensure you have adequate stamina to cover the distances between the shrines and the drop-off points for vehicles.
Get yourself checked for any heart-related ailments and respiratory problems. Often, tourists with health problems are denied permission to perform the pilgrimage by the government. This restriction is to safeguard the life of pilgrims.
Aadhar Card is now mandatory for pilgrims performing the Yatra. This is done to keep records of visitors from every state.
Ensure that you carry a reliable smartphone, high capacity power bank, and required cables when embarking. Also keep your prepaid mobile account topped up. At some mountainous locations, you may face network issues and hence, it is advised that you carry two SIM cards.
Unless you are booking a package from a top travel agency, it is advisable to travel in groups. Families traveling with senior citizens and children may consider booking a travel package since facilities you may require are assured by the travel agencies.
Carrying laptops and cameras is best avoided since these require extra care and add to your luggage. Instead, use a smartphone for taking pictures. Should you take a camera, ensure you have sufficient batteries and a high capacity memory card. Protective bags for cameras are advisable to protect the gear from climatic damages.
Carry a first-aid kit consisting of bandages, pain killers, antiseptic crème, antacid, antibiotics, and anti-diarrhea medications.
Carry a sufficient stock of the prescription medicines, since these may not be easily available during the pilgrimage.
Always consume bottled drinking water. Alternatively, you can carry water disinfecting tablets or Potassium Permanganate powder (food grade) to decontaminate water obtained from local sources.
Wear comfortable clothes during the pilgrimage. In winters too, wear comfortable woolens. Physical activity during a Char Dham Yatra does not warrant wearing tight fitting garments.
Though you may travel in summer months, pack along some warm clothing since the temperatures at high altitudes drop drastically after dusk.
Remember to carry sufficient currency notes of small denominations. You will require these at temples and other places. Vendors outside shrines are wary of accepting currency notes of large denominations since they could be counterfeit.
Never patronize touts or the self-styled agents who sell ‘easy darshan’ or promise to help you jump queues. These touts operate illegally and may flee with your cash.
Should you encounter any health problem or feel uneasy during the journey, alert your guide, or a policeman or any security personnel on the route immediately. You can also dial 108 for ambulance service.
Never attempt a Yatra during monsoons, since the route is notorious for landslides, falling trees and other natural hazards.
A large number of charity organizations offer free (and hygienic) meals on the route.
Carry chocolate bars and bottled energy beverages to help retain the energy levels during intense physical activity.
It is best to avoid carrying leather goods during a yatra such as belts, wallets, purses and watches with straps made of material obtained from animal hides.
It is good to carry along some emergency equipment, including a good flashlight and Swiss Army multitool.

Package Tour or DIY

Should you book your Char Dham Yatra through a top travel agent in India, you will be provided with a list of do’s and dont’s during the pilgrimage. These are aimed at making your pilgrimage a happy and memorable experience. You can book them online or from brick-and-mortar offices of the agencies.

Some travel firms also allow you to book the holiday package and pay monthly installments, either in advance or upon completion of the pilgrimage. However, there is some religious debate over taking credit for a pilgrimage.

In Conclusion

We reiterate that booking a package through a top travel agent is the best way to perform this pilgrimage. Though it may cost a bit higher than venturing on your own, assured facilities and safety more than justify the expense and provide excellent value for money.

Tour guides, assured accommodation, fixed meals and excellent transport arrangements make packages more attractive. Doing it yourself involves several uncertainties, especially since the shrines and their nearby towns get crowded during the two seasons of the pilgrimage.

Author Bio – Harshal is avid travel writer who works at Thingsinindia.in. She is passionate about travel, books and shopping.

Four Must Watch Films on Climate Change

By

Kumar Lakshay

-

March 12, 2018

0

Best Movies on Climate Change — Image – Pixabay

When Ricciotto Cuando called cinema the seventh art, extrapolating on Hegel’s five arts, he couldn’t have contemplated how big the medium would become. Films have so abundantly populated it, that it’s almost impossible to imagine the modern human culture without them.

When we talk about films on environment, there are the big-budget disaster films, made for mindless consumption. There is also a league of films that don’t end the dialogue with the rolling of end credits. Here are three documentaries and a feature film to get you thinking seriously about climate change (listed in the prescribed order of viewing).

An Inconvenient Truth

David Guggenheim, who has also directed “He Named Me Malala”, made the documentary in 2005 featuring the former US vice-president and environmentalist, Al Gore. The film describes the science behind climate change, in a way that is engages the mind and replaces skepticism with a feeling of plausibility. As it was released in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Katrina, it also makes a solid point about the loss of life which directly results from global warming.

Before the flood

Produced, co-directed, and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, this documentary presents the looming threat of world-wide climate change, a decade after An Inconvenient Truth, with an immediacy that is frightening and awakening at the same time. The film describes how the world has already seen major irreversible changes due to global warming, and how the underdeveloped areas are the most affected.

It also serves as a conscience for the USA, one of the major carbon dioxide emitters, shedding light on how major American oil corporations are funding climate change denial. Before the Flood necessitates a watch especially in light of United States’ planned exit from the crucial Paris deal.

Stalker

https://youtu.be/GYfFFOtXvXU

This Andrei Tarkovsky film is a masterpiece of cinema. Ordinarily, this film wouldn’t be considered an environment film, but it features in this list because of the reasons that follow. Firstly, it shows a dystopian landscape, corroded to an uninhabitable state by factories and power plants. Secondly, the only place that is “beautiful” is heavily guarded by authorities, out of reach for law-abiding citizens. Thirdly, it has some interesting arguments about hope and human greed. Finally, it coincidentally predicted the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, with an unsettling degree of detail.

The film is significant because it paints a practically accurate future, as in, how our world would be if humanity’s disruptive trajectory continues. It deserves a watch if you know about Fukushima. The film’s plot is adapted from the novel Roadside Picnic. You can freely watch the film on the Mosfilm official youtube channel.

Time to Choose

With Time to Choose, the Academy Award winning filmmaker, Charles Ferguson brings optimism to the climate change argument. Oscar Isaac briefly narrates the crisis, then shifting the focus to solutions that can be implemented with the technologies available today.

Tips for Choosing the Right Active Wear Online

By

Caleidoscope

-

March 9, 2018

0

Are you fitness freak? If yes, your daily schedule involves workouts either at home or at the gym. It is a good sign that you are making workout the part of your regular activity. You might have selectively chosen the exercise equipment you have to work on to keep your body fit but, are you selective about choosing the active wear for work out? It is important to choose your active wear selectively to maximize the benefits of your workout. Here are the tips to help you select right active wear for the workout.

Most of them choose to go by regular wear to save few bucks to the pocket thinking that the kid of apparel they wear during the workout does not make any difference. The fact, the kind of apparel you choose to wear during the workout that has a lot to do with giving the benefits of the workout.

List the type of the workout

The types of workout people do to burn the calorie varies according to the persons. Some people indulge in running number of miles regularly to burn calories and few do some simple exercises, yoga or aerobics so, the apparel should be chosen accordingly. Other factors to consider are the number of hours you allocate for a workout in a day, hours you spend on indoor and outdoor workout and climatic conditions you live in. Apart from the pants and other sports apparel, women should give special attention to the bra they choose to wear during the workout. Choose to pick the correct size that keeps you more flexible and comfortable during the workout.

Type of apparel

There are many types of active apparel for both men and women. You should first make the inventory of the things you have in the closet and start shopping for the sports apparel. You should skip wearing cotton apparel for the workout during the summer, the fabric becomes sweaty and rubs against your skin causing irritation but, the apparel in the cotton fabric is an excellent choice if you are going for a brief walk outside. On the other hand, choosing the apparel with synthetic and moisture fabric will help in pulling the sweat away and allow it to evaporate quickly.

Size matters

When you are shopping for the clothes for your regular workouts, measuring the size of the body is very important. You should make sure you pick the right one to keep you comfortable and flexible during the workouts. You should measure the size of hip and bust, upper and lower arms. Keep your objective of the work in the mind while choosing the apparel.

Address the need

The fundamental aspect that one should check in while choosing the sportswear is it should prevent your body from sweating when you are on a workout. Online stores like ZAFUL are now making technology advanced apparel. These apparel have anti microbial treatments to combat odor. Few have ultraviolet protection to fight against harmful sun rays; they are the best choice when you are choosing the sportswear for workouts outdoor.

Shopping online

Many products can be shipped to your doorstep just on a click; workout apparel is not an exception. If you plan to buy active wear online, you should filter the options according to the fabric, size and the type of the workout you are going to choose to burn your calories. This will make your shopping easy and brings down the list option you have on a single webpage according to applied filters. You can now pick the one you want based on the budget you have to purchase apparel.

Top Tourist Destinations Where Indians Do Not Require Visa

By

Caleidoscope

-

March 5, 2018

0

A holiday abroad was something that majority of Indians could only dream about, some years ago. This was mainly due to high airfares and hassles of procuring a visa to travel to some country. This scenario has drastically changed over the past few years. Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) operating to foreign destinations from India combined with affordable accommodation that can be booked online has put holidays abroad within reach for a broader section of Indian society.

In a bid to attract tourist, the government now allows citizens of some 140 countries to enter India with the electronic visa (e-visa) and visa-on-arrival. In reciprocity, several foreign nations now offer same facilities to Indian passport holders too. Meaning, you need not undergo the hassles of applying for a visa to visit these countries, prior to departure: you can get one easily upon arrival at destination or are allowed visa-free entry and stay for limited duration.

Current Scenario

Thanks to these developments, a large number of Indians, ranging from college students to senior citizens now travel for holidays abroad. However, Indians are a picky lot. They prefer to travel to foreign countries more for the status it accords as well as shopping, rather than the real purpose of tourism, which is primarily to get insights into a different culture and its way of life.

In this article, we look at some top tourist destinations where Indian passport holders can travel without a pre-departure visa. They can get a visa-on-arrival for a small fee or enter the country without visa.

Top Destinations for Indians

Kingdom of Thailand

Hundreds of Indians travel to Thailand daily. This is because of cheap airfares, short flying time of about four to five hours from India to Thailand and the visa-on-arrival facility that Indian passport holders enjoy. For a fee of Thai Baht 2,000, you can get a visa-on-arrival at the country’s main gateway, Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Chonburi near Bangkok. Most Indians travel to Thailand to avail of carnal pleasures and ‘massages’ and cheap shopping.

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

After decades of insurgency, Sri Lanka which shares a common maritime frontier with India offers visa free entry to Indian passport holders. Upon arrival at the Bandaranayake International Airport in Katunayake, Indian passport holders are given a visa-free entry that permits a stay of 30 days with restrictions on taking paid or unpaid work. Sri Lanka is culturally similar to India and offers excellent sun-and-sand as well as eco-tourism. For Indian nationals, Sri Lanka is a relatively inexpensive destination and hence, shopping is also a major attraction.

State of Qatar

The tiny State of Qatar is a peninsular country in the Arabian Gulf which offers e-visa and visa-on-arrival facility to Indian citizens. This country is also host to a large Indian expatriate community. Qatar is a fairly expensive travel destination, considering the high quality tourism infrastructure. However, the country offers rare attractions such as Khor Al Udeid inland sea, desert safaris with overnight stay in tents and belly dancing shows, unique museums and places of historic interest.

United Arab Emirates

visa-on-arrival-in-UAE — UAE – Tom Olliver Via Flickr

United Arab Emirates is best known for two destinations: Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This country in the Arabian Gulf offers Indian passport holders, visa-on-arrival as well as e-visas that can be applied directly or through the four airlines- Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia and Fly Dubai. Additionally, hotels in Dubai also arrange visas for Indian nationals upon booking confirmed accommodation. Dubai has several man-made and natural attractions including desert drives in Hatta, excellent shopping at glitzy malls and amazing beaches, among others.

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

visa-on-arrival-in-Nepal — Nepal – Jean Marie Hullot Via Flickr

Nestling in valleys of the Himalayas and between India and China, this country welcomes Indians without visas and in some cases, without passports too. Entry into Nepal is possible by road, via border checkpoints in Uttar Pradesh. The Tribhuvan International Airport receives number of scheduled flights from airlines in India daily. Entry by road is possible by driving your own vehicle and by bus. In some instances, a valid Voter ID card from India is also accepted for entry into Nepal. The country has excellent shrines such as Pasupatinath, Temple of Virgin Goddess, Lumbini, the birth place of Gautama Buddha as well as national parks such at Sagarmatha and Chitwan.

Kingdom of Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan on India’s north eastern borders offers visa-free entry to Indian citizens. However, the country lays a cap on the number of tourists it will receive every year, due to concerns over environment. Entry to Bhutan is by air, from the Paro International Airport or road from border checkpoints in Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh states. Indian travelers, like other nationalities, have to book a holiday package through Bhutanese travel agents prior to arrival. The country is truly a paradise on earth. However, it is a expensive destination due to the superior tourism infrastructure and facilities that visitors enjoy.

Republic of Kenya

For discerning Indians who wish to experience a world-class jungle and wildlife safari, Kenya offers the best. Indian passport holders can avail of a visa-on-arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi or the Moi International Airport, Mombasa for payment of 50 Shillings. Both these major gateways offer a host of tourist attractions including shopping for tribal crafts, dining at the world famous Carnivore restaurant where barbecued meat of exotic animals is served and historic monument. The main attraction of Kenya is the Masai Mara safari that offers tourists the opportunity to experience life of Masai tribe of Kenya, dense forests inhabited by wild animals that surround their dwellings.

Republic of Mauritius

This Indian Ocean island is considered as part of Africa. The country is immensely popular among Indian tourists since it offers visa-free entry. However, Mauritius is not an inexpensive destination, though several Indian movies, including Bollywood blockbusters have been set there. Mauritius is famous for its clear waters and white sand beaches. You can also take a ride in glass-bottomed boats that allow excellent views of underwater life. Beaches in Mauritius offer excellent water sports while the capital Port Louis is bound to enthrall any avid shopper.

Republic of Indonesia

Indonesia is an archipelagic country that was once ruled by dynasties of Indian origin. You can get a visa on arrival at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and designated entry points for a fee of US$ 35. The visa permits stay for 28 days. Indonesia has myriad tourist attractions including Bali, the world famous beach resort. Capital Jakarta itself has several places of historic and tourism interest as well as superb malls. Ancient Hindu and Buddhist shrines such as Parambanan and Borobudur make Indonesia ideal for tourists with spiritual bent too. There is no dearth of destinations one can visit in Indonesia.

Republic of Seychelles

visa-on-arrival-in-Seychelles — Seychelles – Falco Ermert Via Flickr

Seychelles is also an island nation in the Indian Ocean and considered as part of Africa. Indians are permitted visa-free entry into Seychelles for a period of 28 days. The country has been widely popularized in India since several movies were set in Seychelles. In addition to sun-and-sand tourism, Seychelles is a very serene destination that makes it excellent for honeymooners. Capital city Victoria has splendid night life and world class shopping. However, Seychelles is not a destination for those on thrift. The country attracts tourists from all over the world and hence has excellent infrastructure, which can prove pricey for budget travelers.

Point to Remember

Before packing your bags to depart for a visa-free destination or where you can get visa-on-arrival, it is advisable to read visa rules and regulations of that country that are currently in force. Such facilities for entering a country are often subject to certain conditions. You need to possess a return or onward ticket, proof of funds to support stay in the foreign country, vaccination certificates and other documents. These vary according to the country and are subject to change sans notice.

Remember, an e-visa, visa-on-arrival and visa free entry is merely a privilege given to Indians. You cannot claim it as your right when entering a foreign country. The final decision to permit entry into any country rests with the immigration officer processing your passport. An immigration officer is empowered to deny entry into the country for various reasons. Hence ensure you comply with all immigration related rules of the country you wish to travel. Its also important to have a better communication with the family and friends when you are travelling abroad hence its is advisable to carry your cell phone with a SIM card that supports international calls. Global SIM card really come handy for avid travellers. Global SIM card covers more than 165 countries and you can use it for future purpose without changing your umber

In Conclusion

There are several other countries that also offer visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival facilities to Indian passport holders. These include Republic of The Philippines, which consists of over 7,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia- an African state largely unexplored by Indians and Moldova, an East European country that was part of the erstwhile Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). However, limited connectivity from India to these excellent tourist destinations proves a major impediment. Indian nationals can avail of visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry at some 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Central Europe and South America, Oceana and the Caribbean islands. You can explore some of these destinations on fairly moderate budgets.

There are many ways to make money from foreign travel. One is by selling photos of tourist attractions and off-beat places in the country. Other is by selling handicrafts from that country.

Top 7 Pre-Wedding Photo Shoot locations in India

By

Caleidoscope

-

February 28, 2018

1

Are you getting married?

Many Congratulations!

Are you looking for Pre-Wedding Photo Shoot locations, Professional pre-wedding photo shoot ideas?

Photos that can make you laugh, cry or smile after another decade has passed. Pre-Wedding Couple Photography or Fun-Filled Romantic Couple photography is an inseparable part of Wedding photography and as important as the wedding picture.

Nowadays, Pre-wedding photography is one of the trends which have emerged in India. The real aim of Pre-wedding shoots to capture the love and personal essence of a couple. These days all the couples are going all out to do something out of the box. They are trying new off-beat destinations and concepts.

Why You Should Have Pre-Wedding Photo Shoot

When the rest of your life is made the best of your life, you know it all started with Pre-wedding photos!!
It’s a great way to bond
Photographs can be used creatively
The time you spend before marriage is sweet nothings.
Reveals the kind of couple you are

So you’re thinking of getting a pre-wedding photo shoot location ideas? Sometimes it requires a careful research for choosing your photographer to the selection of the locations. So we bring you top 7 Pre-wedding photo shoot places in India you just can’t Miss!

Top 7 Striking Pre-Wedding Photo Shoot Places in India

Taj Mahal- Agra

The scenic beauty of Taj Mahal can’t be described in words. Taj Mahal “Symbol of Love” remains to be one of the most preferred choices amongst couples for a unique photo shoot.

Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The ivory marble’s and magnificence of The Taj Mahal is indescribable, and this is the perfect destination to capture two souls in sheer love beginning a new life together.

Kumarakom Lake Resort, Munnar & Alleppey – Kerala

Top-Pre-Wedding-Photo-Shoot-locations-in-India-Kumarakom-Lake-Resort — Image – tamarindweddings.com

Munnar & Alleppey are the perfect gem of a place to get the pre wedding photo shoot done. Munnar & Alleppey, these two are the one of most popular hill station in India.

The hills & unique landscape and Jaw dropping picturesque backgrounds give you the magical shot to your love story on camera.

Kumarakom Lake Resort is only unparalleled in any other places, possess some photo shoot in those snake boats or at the lush greeneries or in the heavy water lakes.

Shimla and Manali – Himachal Pradesh

Top-Pre-Wedding-Photo-Shoot-locations-in-India-Shimla-and-Manali — Image – Pixel Dhaba

If you are a couple who loves gorgeous landscape, forests and wetlands like ponds and nature at the same time, then these 2 hill stations are one of the most glistening places for pre wedding shoots.

Udaipur – The City of Palaces

Top-Pre-Wedding-Photo-Shoot-locations-in-India-Udaipur — Image – Preachart.com

Heritages, class, royalty – if these are the expressions that you feel close to, then out of above 3 excellent places, Udaipur is the best choice for pre wedding photo shoot. Some of the Best Locations for Pre-Wedding Shoot in Udaipur are The Oberoi Udaivilas, Fateh Sagar lake, Sajjangarh, Badi lake, The Royal Retreat Resort & Spa, and Shouryagarh Resort & Spa.

Goa

Top-Pre-Wedding-Photo-Shoot-locations-in-India-Goa — Image – Studiokelly.in

Captivating, surreal, and refreshingly romantic pre-wedding shoots, the Goa beaches and scenic beauty brings out perfect tropical love feeling to every couple. Get into the flow of the Couple who’s getting into an adventurous life commitment. One of the best pre wedding photo shoot place in Goa are Park Hyatt Resort and Spa, Radisson Blu, Alila Diwa Goa, Kenilworth Beach Resort and Spa, and Vivanta by Taj – Fort Aguada.

Delhi

Delhi, the Capital of India, A treasure trove of culture and historical structure, Delhi, could be the ideal mixture of heritage and nature and is going to be a beautiful background to the amorous Pre Wedding photo-shoot that would help you make memories for life. Here are some of the best pre wedding shoot locations in Delhi I would like to recommend to you are – Hauz Khas Village, South Delhi, Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Estate, Humayun’s Tomb, Mathura Road, Agrasen ki Baoli near Connaught Place, Connaught Place, Central Delhi and The Rail Museum, Chanakyapuri.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad City, capital of southern India’s Telangana state. Catching up to be one of the best locations to visit and have a good time. Hyderabad is a perfect mixture of medieval and modern architecture, ethnicity, color and race. The best pre wedding photo shoot place in Hyderabad are taramati baradari, Taj Falaknuma, lotus pond, Leonia resort, and Golconda.

This is all about best Pre-wedding photo shoot locations in India. So, best of luck for your pre wedding shoot, we hope you found this post useful and will use them for your pre-wedding photo shoots!

Author Bio
Saurabh Tiwari is a Digital Marketer at DevHiTech and Part-time Blogger at Techibhai. I love to Write about Travel, Blogging, SEO, and Product Reviews.

Top Three Traditional Indian Clothing of All Time

By

Caleidoscope

-

February 27, 2018

0

All over the world, India is well known for its diversity, spices and jewelry. Not only that, but India’s traditional attire has also earned distinguishing admiration from all over the globe. It can rightly be said that these dresses have evolved through the diverse geography of India – each state in India has its own culture and style, which has helped pave a way towards different kinds of traditional Indian clothing. The credit, however, goes to the artisans that have created these dresses, requiring a really hardworking labor and a lot of attention to detail, with such incredible craftsmanship. Let’s look at some of these creations and get to know the touch of trends and developments each outfit has received.

Sari/Saree

One of the most wonderful traditional dresses of India, Sari is probably the outfit that describes and depicts an Indian woman. Generally talking about Indian women makes you picture a beautiful young woman clad in a gorgeous sari.

What is a sari? A sari is basically a four to nine meters of unstitched clothing that a woman drapes on her body in numerous ways. The most common draping style is wrapping the sari around the waist with the pallu (one end) diagonally draped to one side covering the chest. Underneath the sari, women wear a petticoat or a blouse, which is a fitted crop top.

The popular varieties of sari include Northern, Eastern, Central, Southern and Bangladeshi saris, which divide into further categories relating to geographical locations. Sari is one traditional dress of India that hasn’t evolved much over time, but the modern sari has certainly changed in terms of designs, fabric, embellishments, weaving styles and patterns. The modern sari definitely makes choosing one out of the many options available hard, as each one is to die for.

Top-Three-Traditional-Indian-Clothing-Sari — Sari – Source Pixabay

Shalwar Kameez

Commonly referred to as a Punjabi suit, the shalwarkameez is an amazingly decent outfit, which gives a really graceful look. The pathans of Kabul were the ones who introduced this dress in South Asia and now the shalwarkameez is consistently evolving with more innovative styles, designs and patterns. Normally the shalwar refers to a loose fit pyjama, narrow from the bottom and wide from the top, with pleats at the waist, held by a drawstring or an elastic belt.

On the other hand, the kameez is a long tunic that is open from the sides starting from underneath the waist line. The modern Punjabi suits, however, are different because of their cuts and shapes. The former shalwarkameez has transformed into Patiala shalwar suits (Patiala shalwar is like the normal shalwar, but with a greater number of pleats), churidar suits (churidar is a trouser like pyjama with excess length at the bottom arranged as bangles), trouser suits (trousers are tightly fitting pyjamas) with varying kameez lengths.

All in all, shalwarkameez, teamed with a dupatta (long scarf), is a classy ethnic ensemble that is comfortable as well as an elegant pick.

Top-Three-Traditional-Indian-Clothing-Salwar-Kameez — Salwar-Kameez – Source Dazzle2u.com

Lehenga Choli or Ghagra Choli

Famous in most of Northern India like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat, lehnga choli or ghagra choli is possibly the heart-throb of every Indian woman. This traditional dress with its unique style and design is definitely worth the admiration and status it has achieved.

Talking about what a lehnga or ghagra actually is, let me tell you that it is a long pleated skirt. What sets it apart from other western skirts is the fabric, embroidery and fancy motif work its clothing deals with. The choli is a blouse, just like the one worn with the sari. These two are then grouped with a dupatta that can be draped in any way preferred: over the shoulder, wrapped at the waist, tucked into the skirt, draped halfway like a sari, worn over the neck, etc. Once all the setting up has finished, the final look of the lehnga choli or ghagra choli is perfect for almost every fancy celebration, but is mostly favored for Indian wedding ceremonies. Lehnga or ghagra hasn’t modernized much other than the fact that its fabric, embellishment and dupatta draping style keeps on alternating and getting better and better. To sum up, lehnga choli or ghagra choli is a traditional Indian dress that surely won’t disappoint.

Top-Three-Traditional-Indian-Clothing-Lehenga-Choli — Lehenga Choli – Source ZEEL CLOTHING

If you’re an Indian women then you already know that all of these traditional Indian dresses are a must have, so why wait? And if you want to try something new, then try the modern looks of these traditional attires, so that you keep up with the latest trends and fashions all the while looking beautiful as ever.

If you’re a non-Indian women, then after reading this article and looking at the images, you must be witnessing an urge to get yourself all of the abovementioned clothing. So, get to shopping ASAP and try all of these dresses to grasp flattering compliments from family and friends.

Author Bio:

At The Saree Palace, Heeral Thakkar commenced with the vision of inspiring the world with her fabulous and stylish clothing line. Heeral is a pioneer in providing an Indian culture and tradition in California. Presently, people from all over the country are interested in shopping from this first ever Indian bridal boutique. With experience in hand and unique fashion trends in mind, Heeral has become one of the most exquisite fashion designer in the country.

Feature Image – Saree.guide

Exploring the Spiritual Sides of Puducherry and Tiruvannamalai

By

Caleidoscope

-

February 22, 2018

0

Author – Shweta Gurjar

My recent trip to Tamil Nadu happened quite by chance. I had always kept Auroville for the day when I was finally going to be sold on vipassana. I had planned to live for a few good months, growing, eating, cleaning, and nurturing- all that the place gave me a glimpse of in three days, enough for longing to return again.

It quite happened by chance, when a friend and I decided a spiritual journey to the South. 5 days of meditation at Auroville and Thriuvanthamalai – both with their unique spirituality! Along with meditation, it was a cultural experience- with the historical French culture in Auroville and the very religious culture of the South India.

Exploring-the-Spiritual-Sides-of-Puducherry — At Auro Beach

After reaching Chennai by flight, we took a cab to our destination. Cab’s are the preferred common commute, however one can take a bus as well. Although Puducherry is just seven kilometers from Tamil Nadu, there is a clear distinction between the two. Puducherry is a little more cleaner, neater, greener, richer than Tamil Nadu. Towards the end of Puducherry, the buildings start appearing a little more French, and bookstores carry more advanced French than English.

Pondicherry has the ashram of Sri Aurobindo, it is here that he meditated with The Mother and his samadhi is here. Planning to meditate by the Samadhi to enlighten our spiritual journey, we were allowed in as regular visitors. Although the ashram has a large number of daily visitors, the place maintains silence and so meditation is quite possible. Both, tourists and mediators visit here to find silence or peace. The verandah surrounding the samadhi is the meditating area. Clean, green, with little bits of sunshine through tall palm and papaya trees, it is a place to ‘check out of the world’ for a little while.

Quite close to the ashram is the White Town. Puducherry’s French heritage is mostly concentrated here. It is that place where the French left their culture through buildings, road systems, infrastructure, and memories.

Over the years, foods have changed to more Italian with maybe some French. However, it is not disappointing as a very distinct hippie commercialization of Puducherry has kept it moderately expensive, with heritage buildings, and cuisines that are invented with a combination of French, Tamil, and some alien cultures brought in by tourists. It is not uncommon to find “butter chicken with french fries (or rice)” on the menu at the small hippie restaurants.

I lived by the Auro Beach, which is equidistant from Auroville and Puducherry (about 8 kilometers). Auro Beach has scanty civilization on the beachside – a five-minute walk from the beach to the main market. It is advisable to rent a motorbike or a bicycle here due to the distances. Auto-rickshaws are expensive and often do not use the meter. So, there is always a 5 minute negotiation before the ride.

However, one can never be too upset in Tamil Nadu. The salty breeze that flows inland, the earthy atmosphere of the city in bamboo calms the mind, and the greenery around with tall palm trees with umbrella tops can always spell a charm to calm your anger.

South-Indian-Famous-Thali — South Indian Thali

Palms and bamboos are quite revered in Tamil Nadu. It is amazing to see most house tops made by a type of bamboo that is local to Tamil Nadu. Although concrete is trickling, here and there, into the architecture, the underlying rurality of Tamil Nadu, to a large extent, has not discarded the natural bamboo housing. My cottage on the beach was also entirely made of bamboo- a ten feet tall structure that stood on long bamboo logs, with planked flooring and dried bamboo leaves for roof top- all knit together by jute, strings, and nails. A ladder climbed into a short verandah, which was great post to relax, all the while listening to the sounds of the ocean, beyond the virgin beach. This sweet melody didn’t end until I left.

One must remember that though Puducherry still has a “white man’s” culture, and it is not uncommon to be asked to leave certain places if you are an Indian, sad and true. But, there are many other places around that very welcoming. so best to stay away from places that are “villas.”

After experiencing an interesting time at Auroville, a morning cab ride took us to Tiruvannamalai. Unlike the drive to Auroville, the drive to Tiruvannamalai was a little drier and a little hotter as we drove inland.

Summit of Arunachala by Martin Ehrensvärd via Flickr

Tiruvannamalai is a hilly area situated in the Anamalai Hills of the Eastern Ghats. At the foot of the hills is the Annamalai Temple. It is said to be the largest Temple in the world, dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shiva.

The mythological story for the temple has it that Lord Shiva (the destroyer) asked Lord Bramha (the creator) and Lord Vishnu (the keeper) to find the center of the universe. Lord Bramha turned into a swan and flew as high as he could and returned with an answer. Lord Vishnu became a bore and dug deep into the earth and returned with an answer. They both admitted to have found the center of the universe. However, they had both lied. So, Shiva created an endless fire that passed through the magma of the earth below and reached the highest skies. This fire was created at Annamalai (now known as Tiruvannamalai). Shiva suggested that this is the place where ego would perish and die. Four mandapams were built around the place of this fire. Thus, the temple of Arunachalayar.

Arunachaleswarar Temple Tiruvannamalai by Nithi Anand via Flickr

The temple has four entrances, facing the four directions. It is suggested to be auspicious to enter from the South Gate. Annamalaiyar is prominently a Shiva temple. It is said that after Shiva created fire, he settled in the hills of Arunachala. Parvati joined him and the temple was created.

At the temple are also idols of Ganesha and Kartikeya (Murugan). Although Ganesha is the
beginner of all things good, Kartikeya is revered very highly in the Southern India. He is the God of War who kills ego and hatred. Hence in Tamilnadu, Lord Murugan’s idol is always placed before the Shiva-Parvati temple. Just like Lord Shiva has Nandi at the entrance, Lord Murugan is always accompanied with a peacock. The peacock represents the youthfulness of the Lord and his mission to fight ego and hatred.

The temple is large and takes a good 20 minutes to complete an entire circle. I took up a room next to the temple to enjoy the soothing morning aarti at 5:30 am, so culturally Southern! The early risers with early coffee shops was quite a delight to walk around and chill at before the sun rises. Being a very religious place it is extremely safe for women to be on the streets at early hours, which was a very welcoming experience.

Behind the temple, about three kms away is The Ramana Ashram. Swami Ramana is said to have visited the temple in his youth and promised Lord Shiva to renounce everything, and live a life of a monk. He meditated in the caves of the Arunachalam hill, which are accessible by an hour long walk up the mountain. The caves are accessible and one must meditate in these caves just to experience silence and peace. The Virupaksha Cave was my most favorite. It still maintains its history with stony roof and muggy darkness in the mediation room.

Near the Ramana Ashram, there are traces of the hippie culture of India. An obvious German Bakery is right around the corner serving good food and cozy ambience. However, it is a must to try many other hippie cafes around like the Shanti Cafe for its Indianized yet extremely delicious cheesecake.

Five days of Tamil Nadu gave us a lot of spiritual upliftment. The meditation agenda was met, and spirituality was largely achieved through mediation, greenery, and nature. It is advisable to visit Puducherry a little more than five days as there is enough to see and do. If traveling to Tamil Nadu, the Arunachalayar temple is a must visit for its superb energies and positive vibes.

Is Amrita Sher-Gil Really the “Frida Kahlo of India”?

By

Kumar Lakshay

-

February 20, 2018

1

Everytime someone talks or writes about the painter Amrita Sher-gil, the name Frida Kahlo is thrown in the mix of words, and almost always in vain. In vain because none of these writings or talks attempt to give a reason for this reference. All we get, at the maximum, is a vague statement about similarities in their painting styles or their social figures, said to be equal in the degree of unconventionality.

In this article, I try to outline the similarities and differences, between the two artists.

The fact that both the artists were born of mixed parentage, Kahlo was German-Mexican and Sher-gil, an Indian-Hungarian, is used as an argument for their similarity. But despite this common feature, their respective childhoods were in quite distant nature.

Sher-gil was born into a privileged home in Budapest, and grew up in the aristocratic circles of Europe. Her father, Umrao Sher-gil, a prominent Persian scholar, had met her mother and his second-wife, Marie Antoinette Gottesmann when she accompanied Princess Bamba Duleep Singh on her visit to Lahore and Shimla. Gottesmann was a Jewish-Hungarian singer with noble roots.

Amrita-Sher-Gil-Really-the-“Frida-Kahlo-of-India — Amrita with her sister Indira (left), circa 1923. Source: Estate of Umrao Singh Sher-Gil/Photoink via Telegraph

To promote further her early talent for drawing and painting, she was enrolled in a Florence art school called Santa Annunziata, at the age of eight, and then went to the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, at sixteen.

In contrast, Kahlo’s childhood was characterized by a conservative mother, a prolonged sickness, in the form of polio that left her with a limped gait, and an overall sense of melancholy, which would later influence her art.

She didn’t attend any formal art schools, and instead was studying to become a doctor at the prominent National Preparatory School. Her orientation towards a career in science ceased when a bus accident left her with multiple injuries, including a shattered pelvis and impaled uterus. The existential feelings and social immobilization that ensued during months of being bed-ridden practically turned her into a painter.

From early adolescence, Frida was politically conscious. In the PBS documentary on Kahlo’s life, Amy Stechler tells that she changed her birth year from 1907 to 1910, probably to make it lie in the same year as the start of the Mexican Revolution.

As she grew older, her political identity inclined towards embracing her Mexican heritage, easily reflected in her traditional clothing. She also joined the Mexican Communist Party in 1927. During this time, the 1930s, fascism was at rise in Europe and as the Art Story notes, there was an attempt to distance herself from her Germanic ancestry. This was evident in the name change from ‘Frieda’ to Frida. She also had reportedly said that her father was a Hungarian Jew, a claim that has been opposed.

The same fascism may also have resulted in an environment of hostility for Sher-gil, that would later culminate in her decision to settle in India.

By the age of 20, Sher-gil had mastered the formal European painting styles. This mastery earned her a Gold Medal at the Grand Salon in 1933 for the oil on canvas, ‘Young Girls’.

Amrita-Sher-Gil-Really-the-“Frida-Kahlo-of-India-2 — Young Girls, Oil on canvas, by Amrita Sher-gil – Source

Another example of her proficiency is the ‘Sleeping Woman’ nude from 1933, which is an evocative painting, exposing the female body, and a beauty that has emerged when the subject is disarmed by sleep.

Another nude from 1934, titled ‘Self Portrait as Tahitian’ shows a shift in her choice of colours, towards muted light tones. The painting shows Sher-gil in a bare-chested posture, her face expressing contemplation, and the background rich with depictions of oriental life. A 1931 self-portrait fetched almost Rs 17 crore at a London auction in 2015.

Although this style wasn’t to stay, she had found concretion in her choice of subject- women of life.

Her decision to settle in India was preceded by a long stay in India, during which she traveled through the South in search for a newer, original style.

This event has been told by many as a longing for roots, and as an abdication of her older style, and with it, her half-european identity. Here, one might be tempted to draw parallels with Kahlo’s gravitation towards Mexico.

But this new art, and inspiration, was something else. As her nephew Vivan Sundaram aptly comments on the topic, “she didn’t abandon the west”. In fact, in her later works, she carried forward the experiments with oil paint, finding inspiration in the Medieval miniatures and Ajanta cave paintings, and attempting to distinguish herself from the prominent Bengali School.

In his review for Yashodhara Dalmia’s book on Sher-gil’s life, Khushwant Singh adds some details to this coming-home tale. In India, he says, “she was eager to win recognition… travelled across India… but found few buyers”.

Amrita-Sher-Gil-Really-the-“Frida-Kahlo-of-India-3 — Three Girls’, Oil on canvas by Amrita Sher-gil – Source Wikimedia

An important work from this period is ‘Bride’s Toilet’, which is part of the South Indian trilogy. Extrapolating on its meaning a little, the painting can be called a study of the Indian social system, and how it related to women of the time, viewed from an outsider’s eye. The contrast between the status of the three women, shown masterfully in varying highlights, is unmistakable.

During her last years, the paintings had the subjects posing to suggest stillness, and from an non-indigenous observer’s eyes, a sense of simplicity in life. This stillness is often aided by vertical alignment and a controlled dark-hued palette. In contrast to this calm energy, her former works often communicate a vibrant mood.

Amrita-Sher-Gil-Really-the-“Frida-Kahlo-of-India-4 — On her brief return to Europe, she painted ‘Two Girls’ in 1939, which explores her sexuality with her dual-heritage in the background – Source

An inherent sense of vanity can be observed in her oeuvre. This is noticeable in the conscious posture of the subjects, and even more so in the early series of self-portraits. These portraits often make up another argument of commonality with the Mexican painter. But Kahlo’s works diverge greatly, both in meaning and in their representation of ‘self’.

Kahlo’s life was marred by pain and her paintings, marking important events of her life, serve as renditions of her relationship with the pain. Her works can be comfortably defined as surrealist images of her insides, both physical and the non-physical emanating from it. Unsurprisingly then, in almost all her canvases, she used herself as the subject, never failing to include her iconic unibrow.

After her marriage to the celebrated painter Diego Rivera in 1929, art gradually turned into a full-time pursuit for Kahlo.

Amrita-Sher-Gil-Really-the-“Frida-Kahlo-of-India-5 — Frieda and Diego Rivera by – Source

Examples of major artworks include ‘Frieda and Diego Rivera’, which was her expression of her trying on the new role of a traditional Mexican wife. When the relations soured between the couple, as a result of Rivera’s infidelity, out came the oil on metal, ‘A Few Small Nips’.

Frida-Kahlo-A-Few-Small-Nips — A Few Small Nips by Frida Kahlo – Source

Her two failed pregnancies also drove her towards constructing revealing, and almost gory, paintings like the ‘Henry Ford Hospital’ and ‘My Birth’ in 1932. In 1940s, her health further deteriorated and she had to undergo a spinal surgery. Her coping up with the agony is symbolised in works like ‘The Broken Column’ and ‘Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace’.

Frida-Kahlo-My-Birth — My Birth by Frida Kahlo – Source

Henry Ford Hospital by Frida Kahlo – Source

Frida-Kahlo-self-portrait-with-necklace-of-thorns — Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace by Frida Kahlo – Source

Frida-Kahlo-the-broken-column — The Broken Column by Frida Kahlo – Source

It can be easily said that the two personalities were ahead of their times, both as women and as artists. It can also be said that Amrita Sher-gil wouldn’t have liked the “Frida Kahlo of India” description that the art-circle has given her. As we have seen, her disagreement would have been justified too. The same injustice would prevail if we call Kahlo the “Sher-Gil of Mexico”, or Amitabh Bachchan the “Al Pacino of India”.

Bicycle – Once A Rocket to a Kid

By

Sreesvarna B

-

February 1, 2018

0

Bicycle-Nostalgia — Image – R E B E L via Dlickr

The times have moved on. Even on the smallest of roads we find motor-vehicles being ridden. Rash and hurried, a young man rides to school a motorcycle that defines not his rules. All the chaos laden traffic does make us wonder how did these children of today lose the joy of being a pedestrian, of holding their parents’ hands, and the joy of riding a cycle?

There were days when a bicycle was a dream of every primary school kid. The younger ones, watching their older siblings learn, wished, hoped, and begged for a chance to ride that big cycle. Then came times when the little ones sit behind and the elder ones peddled along. The roads weren’t full, going far and getting hurt resulted in a secret being shared between siblings and the reason for whispers.

Bicycle-Kid — Image – Bhavishya Goel via Flickr

Then came the joys of riding along to school. Up and Down, with huff and puff, we used to go in all the corners or all the roads. The joy used to be made of facing the strong winds, and of pedaling fast to race motor vehicles. But now we find the kids racing for their future in a motor ride! The rains were then a blessing in disguise, the splash through the wheels in puddles ended with enjoyment of getting drenched.

The bicycle also got people together, as everyone took turns on that one cycle, and to train the friend to ride along. That one bicycle stands alone now, as a reminder of why our childhood friendship always stayed strong.

Today, children are hurried to concentrate their time in classes, as they end up losing the joy that came from in-between commutes. As we grow old, we are adopting bicycles not out of comforts but out of causes, like to reduce carbon footprint, or to travel around in huge campuses that forbids motor vehicles, or when we get ourselves in the mayhem of lack of physical exercise. It is not that we don’t have bicycles anymore, the trouble is that we don’t care to have space for them and the values that came with them.

Qutub Minar Through An Offbeat Lens

By

Rajita Mehta

-

January 29, 2018

0

On a warm December morning, we decided to take a trip to Qutub Minar, more to make up for our daughters missed school field study. So we packed for a picnic at the Qutab Minar. Being busy on Sundays, due to the huge turnover of people, our early trip could only begin at noon. But once we were in the complex, the stress associated with it was gone.

Passing through the security, we reached the first threshold, marked by an arched structure. It was then that nostalgia hit me- I had returned to the monument almost after 10 years. Faint memories began to cloud my mind. I knew this trip was going to be more than a picnic.

Moving on, we caught the first glimpses of the tower. My camera was soon out, although photography was never my forte and I became the self appointed tour guide for our small group of three.

Taking the other route we first saw the Alai Minar, the other victory tower which never got completed.

Alia Minar, incomplete, solid rubble building.

By now the history buff in me had met the amateur photographer. As we approached, the expression on my three-year-old face was priceless. There stood the awe-inspiring Qutub Minar in all its glory.

Now a UNESCO world heritage site, it was built around the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. It served as a minaret to the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque but its design and architectural style make it one of the most significant buildings in Indian architecture. It marks the rise of Indo-Islamic architecture in India.

Built in red sandstone, marble, limestone and rubble masonry, it has five storeys accessed by an internal spiral staircase. First three storeys are built in sandstone while the top two are built in marble, the change in material marking its evolution over time. Each storey is separated by beautiful balconies supported on intricate stone brackets.

The desire to erect towering structures to reflect the might of monarchs and the need to create large congregational spaces for a new religion, led to the development of a new pattern of spaces. The use of Hindu craftsmen, local building material fused with Islamic construction techniques, lends the Qutub complex a unique character.