Exotic Asia Vacations

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of Ganesha to earth from Kailash Parvat with his mother Goddess Parvati. The festival is marked with the installation of Ganesh clay idols privately in homes, or publicly on elaborate pandals. Observations include chanting of Vedic hymns and Hindu texts such as, prayers and brata (fasting). Offerings and prasadam from the daily prayers, that are distributed from the pandal to the community, include sweets such as modaka as it is believed to be a favourite of Lord Ganesh. The festival ends on the tenth day after start, when the idol is carried in a public procession with music and group chanting, then immersed in a nearby body of water such as a river or sea.

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Dahi Handi

Dahi Handi or Utlotsavam is one of the festive events and a team sport during the Hindu festival Gokulashtami which is also known as Krishna Janmashtami and celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.
Dahi Handi is celebrated every August/September, the day after Krishna Janmashtami. It involves communities hanging an earthen pot filled with Dahi (yogurt) or other milk-based delicacy, at a convenient or difficult to reach height. Young men and boys form teams, make a human pyramid and attempt to reach or break the pot. As they do so, girls surround them, sing with music, and cheer them on. It is a public spectacle, and well organized historic tradition of Hindus, with media attendance. The event is based on the legend of the Lord Krishna stealing butter and other milk products as a baby.

Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is observed according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha in Shraavana or Bhadrapad, depending on whether the calendar chooses the new moon or full moon day as the last day of the month, which overlaps with August or September of the Gregorian calendar. Dance-drama enactments of the life of Krishna according to the Bhagavata Purana, devotional singing through the midnight when Krishna was born, fasting, a night vigil and a festival on the following day are a part of the Janmashtami celebrations. It is celebrated particularly in Mathura & Vrindavan, along with major Vaishnava and non-sectarian communities found in Manipur, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and all other states of India.

Delhi
Steeped in history yet overflowing with modern life, cacophonous Delhi pulsates with the relentless rhythms of humanity like few other cities on Earth.

It is a city built upon cities. There are at least eight historical Delhis, each constructed on, or near, the ruins of its predecessor, leaving a modern-day citadel that's dotted with ancient monuments, many said to be haunted by djinns (spirits). Love history and you'll be left salivating as you trace your way through the eras, clambering across the ruined forts of Tughlaqabad, Siri, Purana Qila and Shajahanabad; exploring the magnificent tombs of eminent historical figures; and visiting the still-vibrant temples, mosques and shrines that throng with devotees today, as they have done for hundreds of years.

Falaknuma Palace (Taj Falaknuma Palace)

One of the finest palaces of India, Falaknuma Palace is a popular luxury heritage hotel of Hyderabad. Spread in an area of 32 acres, the palace was constructed by Sir Nawab Vikar-Ul Umra, a nobleman from the Paigah family. In the olden times, even the Hyderabadi noblemen were allowed to make their own palaces. Particularly this architectural gem caught the eye of Mehboob Ali Pasha, the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad and the then owner Sir Vikar who was also his prime minister had the only option of giving away the Palace as a gift.
The construction of the palace began in the year 1984 and the completion took 10 years. Falaknuma palace’s cost was around 4 million rupees. This beautiful structure was designed by British architect William Mard Marret and was finally owned by PM of the Hyderabad State, Sir Vicar-Ul-Umra. In 1895 Mehboob Ali Pasha, the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad took the Palace as his fancy and till 1911, Falaknuma was the residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad. Thereafter, it became a guesthouse for the Nizam’s royal guests and other dignitaries.

In 2000, Prince Nizam Mukkaram Jah Bahadur leased out the palace to the Taj hotels for renovation and converted it into a luxury heritage hotel of Hyderabad. Falaknuma Palace Hotel is a place where the guest experience the popular grand hospitality of the Nizams clubbed with world-class modern comforts. The hotel has 60 spacious, airy and well-equipped guest rooms and suites that boast of comfortable furniture, plush furnishings, lavish bathrooms and all the special comforts.

Hyderabad

Steeped in history, thronged with people and buzzing with commerce, the Old City of Hyderabad is one of India's most evocative ancient quarters. Exploring the lanes of this district, with its chai shops and spice merchants, you'll encounter a teeming urban masala of colour and commerce. Looming over the Old City is some of Islamic India's most impressive architecture, in varying states of repair. Most visitors concentrate their time in this area, though the magnificent Golconda Fort should not be missed.

Hyderabad's other pole is far younger and west of the centre – its Hi-Tech City, or 'Cyberabad', and other districts like Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills are replete with glittery malls, multiplexes, clubs, pubs and sleek restaurants.

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer traces its inception to the 12th century. History tells us of Rawal Jaisal, the eldest heir of the Rawal of Deoraj, was passed over for the throne of Lodurva and a younger half-brother was crowned king. Rawal Jaisal went looking for a new location to set up his capital when he came across sage Eesul. The sage told him about Krishna’s prophecy which said that a descendant of his Yaduvanshi clan would found a new kingdom at this same spot. It was in 1156 that Rawal Jaisal constructed a mud fort, named it Jaisalmer after himself and declared it his capital.

Kochi (Cochin)

Set on a magnificent estuary, serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travelers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant Chinese fishing nets, a 450-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese- and Dutch-era houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal and Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. It’s a delightful place to explore, laze in arty cafes and relax at some of India’s finest homestays and heritage hotels. It's also an important centre for Keralan arts (traditional and contemporary) and a standout place to see Kathakali and kalarippayat.

Bhutan

Why Bhutan is out of the world you ask? This small and predominantly Buddhist nation tucked between China and India is lanced by deep ravines and coated with thick woods. It has no traffic lights, and smoking and to***co products are illegal, as are hunting and fishing (except for catch and release). It is forbidden to climb high peaks (where spirits dwell) in this country and employees wear traditional clothing—a gho robe for men and kira dress for women—during work hours. Years ago, it also gave more prominence to Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product (GNP) making it a land that truly gives more importance to the peacefulness and happiness of its people.

Kodaikanal

Centered on a beautiful star-shaped lake, Kodaikanal (Kodai) rambles up and down hillsides with patches of shola (virgin forest), unique to South India's Western Ghats and evergreen broadleaf trees like magnolia, mahogany, myrtle and rhododendron. Another plant specialty is the kurinji shrub, whose lilac-blue blossoms appear every 12 years (next due 2030). There are few more refreshing Tamil Nadu moments than leaving the heat-soaked plains for the sharp pinch of a Kodaikanal night or morning. This misty hill station, 120km northwest of Madurai in the protected Palani Hills is more relaxed and intimate than its big sister Ooty (Kodai is the ‘Princess of Hill Stations’, Ooty the Queen). It’s not all cold either; days feel more like deep spring than early winter.

Lucknow
Sprinkled with exceptional Islamic and British Raj–era architecture, stuffed with fascinating bazaars and famed throughout India for its food, the capital of Uttar Pradesh is something of a sleeper: plenty worth seeing, but often overlooked by travellers. Central Lucknow features wide boulevards, epic monuments and several parks and gardens that contribute to an atmosphere of faded grandiosity. Locals tend to be welcoming, and you'll experience little of the hassle of more touristy towns.

Manali

The magnetic town of Manali beckons to the soul of adventurers, nature lovers as well as solace-seekers. Nestled in the Himalayas, in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Manali is a charming hill station. A part of the northern end of the Kullu Valley, it is situated by the Beas river at a height of 1,926 m above sea level. Floral meadows, gurgling streams, snow-capped mountains, lofty mountain passes, temples and Buddhist monasteries give this tiny town the allure of a fairy-tale setting.

One can explore Manali on foot, or try paragliding over its rolling green slopes and apple orchards. If you are coming here in winters, hit Manali's snow-covered slopes for skiing. Adventure enthusiasts also come here for river rafting and trekking. A potpourri of cultures and experiences, Manali is the perfect mountain getaway for everyone.

Munnar

Munnar rises as three mountain streams merge - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1,600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. One of the most sought after honeymoon destinations in Kerala, Munnar is replete with resorts and lodging facilities that fit a wide range of budgets. Sprawling tea plantations, picturesque towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2,695 m.

Sri Lanka

Endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, oodles of elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun trains, famous tea and flavourful food makes Sri Lanka irresistible. Some might say Sri Lanka has been hiding in plain sight. Scores of travelers have passed overhead on their way to someplace else, but years of uncertainty kept Sri Lanka off many itineraries. Now, however, all that has changed. The country is moving forward quickly as more and more people discover its myriad charms. Lying between the more trodden parts of India and Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka's history, culture and natural beauty are undeniably alluring. It's the place you haven't been to yet, that you should.

Mussoorie

Mussoorie, the proverbial Queen of Hill stations, as professed by the British gentry who evaded hot, desultory summers of Delhi and Kolkata by spending their time here. Being at an average altitude of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), Mussoorie with its green hills and varied flora and fauna is a fascinating hill resort. Commanding snow ranges to the north-east and glittering views of the Doon Valley and Shiwalik ranges in the south, the town was once said to present a 'fairyland' atmosphere to tourists. The highest point is Lal Tibba with a height of over 2,290 metres (7,500 ft). It overlooks the sprawling Doon valley and the city of Dehradun, the gateway to Mussoorie and to the entire Garhwal region of the Himalayas.

Kumari the Living Goddess

Kumari is a living goddess worshipped in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. The living Kumari or goddess is a young prepubescent girl who is chosen in an elaborate process, after which the Nepalese believe the goddesses Taleju, protective goddess of the country or Durga inhabits her body. She is revered and worshipped by the Hindu community in the country. This tradition originated from the unique Nepalese interplay of the Hindu and Vajrayana Buddhist religions. There are various Kumari in Nepal, but the most significant is the Kumari Devi (Royal Goddess) of Kathmandu.

Luxury Train India

Exotic Asia Vacations India presents the experience of some of the finest luxury trains in India. The opulence, splendor, lavish lifestyle and cultural heritage of the princely states of India are reflected not only in the forts, palaces and Havelis of the country but also in India’s luxury trains and royal carriages. Touring India aboard a luxury train makes travel between destinations as much of an experience as the destinations themselves!

So come aboard and explore India like Royalty!

Devprayag

Marked by the confluence point of rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, Devprayag is a religious hub and is quite popular among tourists coming for pilgrimage or seeking some solitude close to nature. Situated amidst rolling Himalayan ranges, Devprayag is a popular pilgrimage centre for Hindus. Dotted with ancient temples and idols amidst the lush green surroundings, this place is a very beautiful and serene place.

City: Mumbai

Bollywood City or Business Capital of India or City which never sleeps or Mumbai is your introduction to India, prepare yourself. The heart of the city contains some of the grandest colonial-era architecture on the planet, but explore a little more and you’ll uncover unique bazaars, hidden temples, hipster enclaves and India’s premier restaurants and nightlife. The city isn’t a threatening place but it's furious energy, limited public transport and punishing pollution make it challenging for visitors.

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