Next >>

Practically everything about India surprises. Most are wonderful or amusing, some are whacky and weird. Festivals and events are often the best part of traveling and we offer you a cornucopia from ancient to modern, from reserved to raucous, and from significant to just plain silly.

Visitors can carry home a slice of India's multi faceted culture that thrives on its pulsating streets and malls. This explosion of colour and pageant is sure to take the breath away. This is an entirely different world, a magical world full of sights that offers over 101 things to do - once you have seen Taj Mahal, of course!

On the roadside, fresh and hot from a pot of bubbling oil, are carefully stacked tiny, golden puffs. Put one between your teeth and bite down. Instantly the frail crust gives way, flooding the mouth with cool, cilantro-flavoured water spiked with chilli. This is great fun, like popping edible balloons. There is extremely joy with each little explosion. The witty little golgappas or pani pooris, created with a subtle sense of humour, are a memorable snack on the road.

For the ladies, wearing the Indian 'sari' will be a delightful experience. After you've managed to put on one that is. There is an art to it, which the friendly Indian ladies will only be too happy to help you with. Gentlemen may try out kurta-dhoti and 'sherwanis' with the famous gear for the head, turban.

The Navaratna (nine gems) is an exquisite piece of jewellery and every woman must own one. Traditionally the stone and its weight are decided according to the individual's astrological chart. The Navratna consists of diamond, ruby, emerald, coral, pearl, sapphire, garnet, topaz and cat's eye. This combination of gems is considered highly auspicious and is said to protect the wearer.

Get a 22 carat facial at any of the premium parlors like the Shahnaz Herbal parlors in India. The facial involves a message with 22 carat pure gold gel and cream to stimulate blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. Intensive toning and a use of specialized mask, containing 22 carat gold, accelerates cell-renewal. This is an intensive age-control and rejuvenating treatment, leaving you as good as gold.

Learn the subtle variations of India's cuisine and unlock the magic of Indian food. The flavors of Indian food are alluring and fragrant. Fluffy rice, tender morsels of meat and chicken, creamy and aromatic sauces, hot baked breads studded with spices, mouth-tingling chutneys and pickles-all these authentic flavors are yours to be discovered and enjoyed.

Mehendi, "henna coloring" has become the in thing for women. No Indian wedding is complete without mehendi. Whichever part of the country the bride may be from; her hands are adorned with the lovely red hue of mehendi. Visit a local bazaar and get your hands colored. Popular traditional images used in mehendi designs are the peacock, the national bird of India, the lotus flower, and an elephant with a raised trunk- a symbol of good luck.
It usually takes over six hours for the mehendi to set properly. The intricate patterns are dabbed with cotton balls doused in sugar syrup and lime juice to make the mehendi darker.

Cricket is a national passion. The obsession for the game has bewildered historians who are at loss to describe the enthusiasm. At every park in the country, cricket is played by youngsters. Particularly on weekends.
So grab a pair of sports shoes and join in the fun and frolic.
The game of cricket was brought to Indian shores by British sailors and subsequently by the soldiers and civil officers posted to the sub-continent during the Raja era. The romance has become thicker with the passage of time. The game transcends social barriers.

Cricket is a national passion. The obsession for the game has bewildered historians who are at loss to describe the enthusiasm. At every park in the country, cricket is played by youngsters. Particularly on weekends.
So grab a pair of sports shoes and join in the fun and frolic.
The game of cricket was brought to Indian shores by British sailors and subsequently by the soldiers and civil officers posted to the sub-continent during the Raja era. The romance has become thicker with the passage of time. The game transcends social barriers.

Indians are hospitable people and respect religious and social customs. Chances are that if you show an inclination, you will get invited to their homes. Indians have always believed that 'The Guest is God'.

Yoga is a system of exercises for physical and mental well being. It was developed about five thousand years ago. It combines stylized poses with deep breathing and meditation. The term Yoga is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning to 'join together'. The ultimate aim in yoga is to unite the human soul with the universal spirit.
There are great opportunities to learn yoga and make it a part of your everyday living.

Be it the Oscars or the friendly neighborhood theatre in our country. Indian movies have made a mark in the world. When in India, it will be a good idea to hop into a movie-theatre and experience an exciting array of drama, emotion and dance & music.
You will not only be thoroughly entertained but you may also find enough inspiration to make a flick of your own.

Bangalore is the centre for rock climbing destinations like Ramangaram, Savandurga. Thuralli, Kabbal, Raogodhu and others. Kambakkam, around 100 kms. from Chennai, provides good climbing in many grades while Hampi in Karnataka has some of the best granite rocks in India, providing climbers ample opportunity to test their skills. In a 300 kms. radius adjoining Kolkata, there are some rock climbing destinations such as Purulia, Matha Bura, Jai Chandi and Susunia hills, Near Mumbai, Kanheri, Mumbra boulders, Manori rocks, Karnala and Matheran are popular destinations for rock climbing. In Gujurat, Pavagadh is a favourite rock-climbing destination. There are numerous other rock climbing destinations, so come to India and enjoy the thrill.

River Running is the most organized water sport in the country. It includes rafting, canoeing and kayaking. India's rafting stretches are mainly on the rivers Bias, Sutlej, Mahakali and Ganges, of which the Ganges is considered the safest. If you're lucky you might even catch the night rafting, when the runners raft by the light of the full moon that casts eerie shadows all over the flat Himalayan deserted land.

Heli-Skiing has come to stay in India. It is practiced in the area bound by the Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass near Manali. A sortie of ten minutes carries skiers to the top of a 14,000 foot high slope. Heli skiing in Manali and Gulmarg provides an enormous variety of ski runs and routes as complicated or as straightforward as the individual can tackle.

Take a road trip from Bangalore to Goa. Passing through some astonishing landscapes, this is one of the most fascinating road trips down south. Another beautiful trip by road is from Chennai to Pondicherry via the East Coast Road. Also try a trip from Raniket to Kasauni in the Kumaon hills of Uttaranchal.