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Practically everything about India surprises. Most are wonderful or amusing, some are whacky and weird. Festivals and events are often the best part of travelling 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!

In October a ten-day long festival is celebrated to mark the victory of prince Ram over the evil king Ravana. Ram-Lila, a drama which brings to life the legend of Prince Rama is held in various parts of the country. On the tenth day a huge effigy of Ravana, filled with crackers, is burnt. This becomes a most spectacular display of fire works that fills up the evening sky.

Chalamandalam in Chennai, Shilpgram in Udaipur, Pinjore in Haryana and Chowkidani in Jaipur are some of the artist villages worth a visit. Here one can see artists at work-be it pottery, embroidery, painting or various other art forms.

Numerous local restaurants in South India serve their staple. Dosas, griddle-fried pancakes and Idlies, steamed rice dumplings on a banana leaf. It can prove a little awkward to those who have never used their fingers before. But once you get the hang of it, there can be no other way to eat these delicacies.

The Indian paans are famous for their taste and digestive properties. Paans are special leaves commonly had with betel nuts which can also be tailor-made on request with coconut powder, clove, sugar, camphor, gulkand (a sweet paste), etc. Go ahead and eat your heart out and top it up with paan.

On the way to Kerela's hill country, Munnar, stop at tea plantation tea stall and sip a cup of the brew. The cool mountain air makes the experience invigorating. 'Kawa' is a light tea, without milk, topped with grated almonds, popular in Jammu and Kashmir. The masala tea served in the Dhabas in north India is another specialty.

The coral reefs and pristine blue lagoons of Lakshadweep and Andamans are the ideal location to head for scuba diving in India. Facilities existing at Andaman Beach Resort and the Bay Island at Port Blair, and the Bangaram Beach resort in the Lakshadweep, which has some of the best diving spots in the world. 

Welcome to Holi, India's fluorescent Mardi Gras where no one is safe from being turned into something that resembles a Jackson Pollock canvas. It is the most colourful, friendly battle on earth. Holi is a time for celebrating the arrival of spring and the approaching harvest season. The frenzy takes place all across northern and eastern India. Join in the celebration as vibrantly coloured powders are thrown on friends, relatives, and strangers. The festival is accompanied with noisy makeshift parades, feasts and dancing in the streets, and in true Indian fashion.

Check out the Sunday newspapers in India and you will find amusing reading under "Matrimonial". The advertisements give an idea of social milieu and society in the country.

Indians are great kite lovers. In fact, the Makar Sanskriti festival is a fun time to join the thousands who share your interest. Check with your travel agent on the dates of the festival. Gujarat is famous for its kites and the locals are experts at flying these paper birds.

Resting serenely on the banks of the holy Ganga (Ganges), nestled in the lap of the Himalayas in Rishikesh, are ashrams (charity homes) in an atmosphere of true sublimity.
It is no surprise that pilgrims are drawn here from all over the world. The awe-inspiring beauty of the ashrams, the clear, flowing Ganges, the majestic mountains, and the lush green forests will embrace and rejuvenate your entire being. Major ashrams have residential rooms that retain the simplicity of ashram living and yet are equipped with the necessary modern amenities.
Each morning, ashram residents join together for universal prayer and meditation as the sun begins its ascent over the Himalayas and the first light of dawn dances on the waters of the Ganges.

A challenging and exciting trek over the frozen river Zanskar is the only access to the isolated capital of Zanskar during the harsh winter period. This dramatic and challenging trek begins with sight seeking in the Tibetan influenced kingdom of Ladakh. The trek is on the frozen river with night stops in the villages and natural caves. Best time is from mid-January to mid-February.

Explore the Buddhist mountain kingdom of Ladhak and mysterious Nubra Valley. Wide open spaces, wind across your face, breathtaking , bewitching scenery is what you are driving past different landscapes on mountain roads.
The Zankar valley is a particularly challenging area where even a casual visit to a monastery or a remote village settlement involves a rewarding safari. Driving past different landscapes apple orchards, quaint villages and temples, the tribal districts where the landscape contrasts starkly with the greenery seen earlier; the Great Himalayan jeep safari is an unmatched experience.

Get onto a Yak while others trek along the spine of the Singe Lila Range to the 4572-meter-high Duisla, the pass of the Devil. The route is no habitation, follows the ancient grazing trail of the yak herdsmen. It is the domain of yaks, their lonely herdsmen, lakes, glacial valleys, gurgling streams, cascades, chiseled snow peaks, meadows, forests, Rhododendrons, wildlife, birds and breathtaking views of 6000 to 8000 meter-high peaks of the Khangchendzonga group, and the Mount Everest group. This is an experience unique to Sikkim.

Situated on a 15-acres forested estate surrounded by tea gardens of the Kangra valley, one of the most scenic and unexplored areas of Himachal Pradesh, is Taragarh Palace. It has comfortable furnished rooms with attached baths, teak paneled dining hall, old colonial furniture, swimming pool, tennis and badminton courts. While at Tarahgarh, visit the Tashijong Monastery which has a commanding view of the Kangra valley.

Shimla was the summer capital during the British Rule. Since no English township could be complete without a golf course, a suitable site was finally chosen at Naldehra 23 km from Shimla. The course is carpeted by a fine springy turf, which requires little maintenance.