Christmas Nuggets

Christmas has some quaint customs in different parts of the world. Rakesh Kumar collects these bits

 

Christmas is when virtually the whole world gets into a festive mood. At this time of year, the streets of cities, towns and villages gets decked up with colour, lights and Christmas decorations, creating a magical atmosphere all around. This is one festival where, irrespective of the Christian population, there is an air of celebration and feasting. Some things are common, such as Christmas tree, mistletoe, the Nativity, feating and Midnight mass, yet, some customs set apart Christmas in different parts of the world. We bring some of these unique festivities.

Spain

The first special date in Spain is 22 December, marked by the draw for the Christmas Lottery ~ almost everyone in Spain takes part and prizes are celebrated in style out in the streets. The next big days are definitely the most family-oriented, on 24 and 25 December: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as the Midnight mass. The most entertaining day falls on 28 December with the Day of the Santos Inocentes, when people play pranks similar to those of April Fools' Day.
People say goodbye to the year with the New Year's Eve celebrations on 31 December. To get involved,  don't forget to buy 12 grapes in advance. Why? According to Spanish tradition, everyone has to eat one grape in time with the striking of the clock at midnight. If you manage to eat them all on time, you will have a New Year full of luck.

Germany

In Germany, Christmas trees are secretly decorated by the mother of the family for her young kids. The Christmas tree is traditionally brought into the house on Christmas eve.

Poland's Warsaw's market
In Poland, Christmas is celebrated a bit differently. On this day everything is supposed to be clean. So, people wash their windows and clean their carpets very thoroughly. Unlike other parts of the world, in Poland, Christmas meal is eaten in the evening. It's traditional that no food is eaten until the first star is seen in the sky! So children look at the night sky to spot the first star. In Warsaw one can see the reconstructed historic district bedecked in decorations, Christmas trees lighting up the main thoroughfares and little huts from which vendors sell Polish treasures for those searching for souvenirs or decorations.

Israel
In the little town of Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, on Christmas Eve, natives and visitors alike crowd the church doorways and stand on the roof to watch for the dramatic annual procession. Galloping horsemen and police mounted on Arabian horses lead the parade. They are followed by a solitary horseman carrying a cross and sitting astride a coal-black steed. Then come the churchmen and government officials. The procession solemnly enters the doors and places an ancient effigy of the Holy Child in the church. Deep winding stairs lead to a grotto, where visitors find a silver star marking the site of the birth of Jesus.
Christian homes in Bethlehem are marked by a cross painted over the door and each home displays a homemade manger scene. A star is set up on a pole in the village square.

Australia

In Australia, Christmas falls in the middle of the summer holidays, so some people might even be camping at Christmas. Australians hang wreaths on their front doors and sometimes go out Christmas carol singing on Christmas eve. People also decorate their houses and gardens with Christmas trees and Christmas lights. Neighbours sometimes have little competitions as to who has got the best light display. On Boxing Day most people visit their friends and often have barbecue at the beach. A famous yacht race from Sydney to Hobart in Tasmania is also held on Boxing Day.

Philippines
The Southeast Asian island nation has the world's longest festive season and pulls no punches in its celebratory zeal, with lavish light displays, masses, and festivals held throughout the country from September until January. The formal Christmas celebrations start on 16 December, when many people go to the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses. The last mass is on Christmas day.

Norway
Santa Claus is said to live in Norway. And Christmas Eve is the time when gifts are exchanged. The presents are also said to be brought by small gnomes called "Nisse". Children pick up the gifts from under the Christmas Tree and read the cards on them out loud. On this day, rice porridge is sometimes left for the Nisse, who, it is believed, guard the farm animals. In some parts of Norway, children dress up as characters from the Christmas Story, such as shepherds and the Wise Men, and go singing from house to house in their neighbourhood. Another tradition in parts of Norway is that families light a candle every night from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day. Interestingly, the most famous custom about Christmas in Norway is the big Christmas Tree that the country gives to the UK every year. The tree is given to thank the UK for the help its people gave to Norway during World War II. The tree stands in Trafalgar Square in the middle of London and hundreds of people come to watch when the lights are turned on.

Russia
In Russia and many other countries, including Serbia, Christmas is normally celebrated on 7 January. The difference in the date is because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old Julian calendar to mark religious days. The official Christmas and New Year holidays in Russia last from 31 December to 10 January. Some people fast on Christmas Eve, until the first star has appeared in the sky. People then eat "sochivo" or "kutia", a porridge made from wheat or rice, served with honey, poppy seeds, fruit (especially berries and dried fruit like raisins), chopped walnuts or sometimes even fruit jellies. Following the meal, prayers might be said and people then go to the midnight Church services. They don't wash the dishes until they get home from Church.

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On a spiritual note

Even as celebrations in pubs and bars ring in the new year, rakesh kumar notices another growing trend ~
people heading for the temple

 

Ram Niwas Shastri, in his 40s, booked a ticket to Vaishno Devi for his family, which includes two kids and his mother, at least two months ago for the New Year. His only argument for doing so is that he wants to spend the first day of the year on a spiritual note. According to him what could be better than visiting a temple. "I could have easily afforded a leisure vacation on hill stations or at the sea shore. But it was my family's desire to start the year on a religious note. Therefore, we decided a trip to  Vaishno Devi to kickstart the new year," reasoned Shastri, who is an engineer by profession and well-paid.
This is not a stray case. Take the example of Krishna Pophale, a Mumbai- based pharmaceutical businessman, whose family also wants to visit some temple on this day. Therefore, he was planning to visit Shirdi temple in Mumbai. The family thinks the first day of the year is very auspicious; therefore visiting a temple is the best option. "What is the first thing we do after buying a house, vehicle or anything new? Or what do we do when we start a new business or go for a job the first time? In all the cases we visit a temple, don't we? Like this, we also want to visit a temple on New Year," opined Pohphale.
Going by the Indian tradition, it is true that before starting anything fresh, visiting a temple is deemed as a good omen. Therefore, it seems that in this new year, inspite of many heading to the hills, sea or another city, a number of people would prefer a temple or religious place to begin their new year. Earlier, people seemed to be more interested in visiting exotic places like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Kerala, Shimla, Manali, Sikkim or Ladakh, but now new trend of visiting holy places is also taking shape. Shuomo Mukherjee from the Key Hotels and Key Resorts totally agreed with this trend. "We have 15 hotels and many are at religious places like Mahabaleshwar, Shirdi and Tirupati. Surprisingly, all our hotels are packed with 80 per cent occupancy. This confirms the new trend ~ people love to visit some spiritual place than some other place," said Mukhejee, chief marketing officer of Key Hotels. "Moreover, on this day, we get many requests from our customers to facilitate the temple visit."

During Christmas week, which goes on till the dawn of the new year, people remain in a holiday mood. As per Thomas Cook India, a travel planner company, the upcoming New Year holiday offers opportunity for short breaks and has further fuelled demand, resulting in an impressive upswing of over 26 per cent for international holidays. As the Indian traveller is conventionally a last minute planner, the expected number could increase further by about 10-12 per cent. Another travel website, Yatra.com informed that there is 40 per cent hike in bookings compared with last year. "However, recently, newer destinations such as desert, heritage, waterfront and even pilgrimage destinations are being explored as leisure holiday spots, and will account for 50 per cent share in all holidays planned in the upcoming year," said Hari Nair, founder and CEO, HolidayIQ.com.
However, Sharat Dhall, president of Yatra.com, has a different take on it. He agreed there are a number of people, who like to visit the temple on 1 January but not in such numbers that one could call it a trend. "Of course, many prefer the religious destination but that is not the only case. Still people prefer those destinations, which are short distance destinations and unexplored."

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A desert jewel

Known for its Shekhawati paintings, Mandawa has much more to offer its visitor, realised rakesh kumar

When I first heard about the place, Mandawa, I mistakenly related it to Mandwa of Agneepath fame. It was our driver, who was taking us there, who quickly corrected me and said, "It is Mandawa not Mandwa."
  Founded in the mid-18th century, Mandawa in Jhunjhuni district of Rajasthan was once home to rich merchant families. These wealthy merchants had constructed enormous havelis that were grandly decorated. While many of these havelis are now in a sorry state, the wall paintings in them are still intact. The beautiful fresco wall paintings that decorate all the havelis is the hallmark of the Shkehawati region, under which Mandawa too falls.
 Just 260 km away from Delhi, it took us seven hours to reach there late at night. At first sight, Mandawa appeared to be a quaint, almost uninhabited town. This impression quickly disappeared as we entered the Sara Vilas Hotel, where we were accorded a royal welcome. 

Magical start

The first day greeted us with several surprises, the foremost being the hotel itself. Set in idyllic, beautifully landscaped gardens, housing 62 vilas and three suites, the hotel has spectacular views with large terraces. It was designed to recreate the regal ambience of a bygone era, promising to be a perfect getaway.
At breakfast, the hotel manager informed us of the many places to explore in the small town. He recommended Mandawa fort, royal havelis, fresco paintings, temples, wild life, camel ride, markets and much more. He also informed us that a number of Bollywood films, including Aamir Khan starrer PK, Jab We Met with Shahid Kapoor and Kareena, Shahrukh starrer Paheli and Sanjay Dutt's Zed Plus were shot in Mandawa.
This information increased our expectations and we set out to explore Mandawa. Acting as our guide, our driver told us that Mandawa is popularly known as the open art gallery of Rajasthan due to its murals and frescoes depicting tales from mythology, legends and contemporary life. The havelis also attracted a large number of foreign tourists, who were minutely examining the paintings.
We first visited the Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, which was closed from all sides and had one large main gate. Like other havelis, there were two courtyards ~ the outer one meant for men and an inner one in the women's quarters. Next on the list was Hanuman Parsad Goenka Haveli. Its architecture was the same but the haveli depicted paintings of Lord Indra on an elephant and Lord Shiva. The Goenka Double Haveli was twin havelis built for two brothers. It has two gates, its portico adorned with elephants and horses. We then visited Mohanlal Saraf Haveli, Chowkhani Haveli, Bhagchandika Haveli and Lakshmi Narayan Ladia Haveli. Most of them are in a ruined state or are maintained by a watchman. Some of them have been converted into hotels. Interestingly, one of the watchmen informed that the absentee owners lived in Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. Since the ownership is shared by several siblings or cousins, they cannot come to an agreement on maintenance.

Nawalgarh

After our tour of Mandawa's havelis, our guide insisted we visit Nawalgarh too, which is 30 km from Manadwa and also known for its havelis. What we noticed that havelis here are cleaner and better maintained. Like Mandawa, in Nawalgarh too, there are many famous havelis are to see, but due to lack of time we managed to visit only the Poddar Museum. Here were preserved not only fresco paintings but the havelis gave a glimpse of Rajasthani culture. From trains to Krishna and mythology characters, from various types of Pagdis (headgear) to wedding dresses, there was so much to see that it took us two hours and cost us our lunch too.  Our day ended with a camel ride to the highest sand dunes in the village, from where we got the best view of Mandawa.

Wild-life

The next day, we planned to visit places a bit away from Mandawa. So Tal Chapar Sanctuary, which was around 70 km from Mandwa, found space in our itinerary for the next day. Famous for the Black Buck, the sanctuary houses around 2,000 deer. It was a pleasant experience, encountering a group of 50-100 deer, roaming in the park. The two-day trip to Mandawa came to an end with a visit to Salasar Balaji Temple.

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The Great Kabab Factory, Park Plaza Gurgaon

Come winter and many restaurants in the Capital upgrade their menu to offer their patrons winter-specific dishes. Among them is Park Plaza Gurgaon's restaurant, The Great Kabab Factory, which has come up with an exotic gastronomic experience, Amritsar to Lahore, covering a variety of cuisines. As the name suggests, chef Vakil has made sincere attempts to take the guests on a culinary journey from Amritsar to Lahore, by offering the best delicacies found in these two regions. Since the festival will be on till 21 December, the whole ambience is filled with Punjabi and Lahori colours ~ from waiter to chef ~ and a glimpse of the region is visible in every corner of the restaurant.

 Our culinary journey began with Galauti Kababs and then Bhatti da Kukad ~ a speciality of Punjab, which was charred to perfection, the well basted skin giving way to moist chicken. The evergreen Machhi Amritsari was also good but I preferred Murgh Seene de Pasande. There was plenty for vegetarians too, including Punjabi Choley di Tikki, Paneer Lahori Tikka and Bhatinde di Fruit Chaat, along with the other vegetarian dishes. And yes, how could one miss the evergreen drink, Chachh (buttermilk), which goes well with every dish. We ended our meal with Moong Dal Halwa, Jalebi de naal Rabri and Anjeer di Phirni.

Rakesh Kumar

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Celebration for all

India is known as the land of festivals, with some celebrated across the land and others relegated to a region or state. But now, an intermingling of celebrations can be seen as several festivals cross borders and set off gaiety all over the country. Rakesh kumar sees a cause to celebrate some of these unifying festivities

They say nothing binds people together like celebration. And if it is a festival where members of all communities can participate, the bonds are further strengthened. Of late, there have been several such festivals, which were regional to begin with, but have panned out across the country. Then there are some common festivals that are celebrated in different ways.
 This year, when Delhi government declared a government holiday on Chath, a festival widely celebrated in Bihar and some parts of Uttar Pradesh, the move brought cheer among the community hailing from those states. Though many termed this to be a political stunt to increase voter bank, at the same time it defined the outreach of the festival. What was till a few years back limited to a particularly state, has now widened its horizon and reached the Capital, where a gala event is held. In fact, it is not only the Chath, but there are many such festivals like Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja and Raksha Bandhan, which were initially celebrated either in one or two states but have now spread throughout the country, some of them even crossing border s. Blessed with a multi- cultural population, India has numerous and varied festivals, that are held throughout the year.


Land of festivals

Since India has always been a land of diversity, there are numerous religions, languages, cultures and castes. Each month is crowded with people celebrating fairs and festivals. Different religions have their own cultural and traditional festivals. Each and every festival is celebrated uniquely, according to rituals and beliefs. Each festival has its own history, legend and significance of celebration. For instance, it is a belief that Hindus have a holiday for every day of the year ~ even that may be an understatement! Exactly how many Hindu festivals are celebrated is not known, but one scholar of Hinduism has listed more than a thousand different Hindu festivals. The other  major religious faiths ~ Muslims, Sikhs, Jains and Christians ~ too have their share of festivals around the year.


Not merely religious

 Till recently, festivals were limited to their respective religions, like Diwali or Holi used to be celebrated by Hindus, Eid by the Muslims, Guru Purab only by Sikhs and Christmas by Christian only. However, over time and with a change in mindset, other communities now join in the festivities. For instances, Holi or Diwali are now celebrated by all. People can be seen colouring others or distributing sweets irrespective of their religions. On Eid, Guru Purab or Christmas, the same fervour can be seen in the celebration among all communities. Not just this, many festivals have not only crossed the boundary of religion but also states. Earlier, many festivals, which were only celebrated in one state, are now being celebrated all over the country though the way they are observed may be a bit different.
 A major divide is between South and the North, with each region having its unique festivals and also common festivals celebrated differently. South India has a culture inherited from the Dravidians, which is different from that of Aryans. However, with Aryans having migrated to South India ages ago, a mixing of culture and traditions has taken place. Now, because of migration and influence of people traveling to other parts of India and vice-versa, this intermingling is reflected in festivals as well.
 However, not many South Indian festivals, such as Pongal and Onam, have found their way outside the state borders even though the migrant population in other states celebrate them in the traditional manner. However, the spirit behind the harvest festival Pongal is reflected in Makar Sankranti, which is celebrated in several other states, including in the North.

Origin of festivals
As already mentioned, there is no exact list of all the festivals in India. However, there are many festivals, which owe their origin from a particular part of the country and travel around. A number of them, which were unknown to the rest of India, have now become pan-Indian celebrations. There is a long list of such festival including Holi, Krishna Janmashtami, Govinda, Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Navaratri, Dussehra, and Durga Puja.

Common celebration
Some religious faiths like Christians and Muslims are spread across the country. Their festivals ~ Christmas, Eid and Easter ~ are common to the respective faiths no matter where they are. However, slight differences in celebration can be noticed from state to state. The same goes for the Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains, who are today spread across the country.

Holi 

 

Holi is a festival of colours, which starts with a Holika bonfire on the night before Holi, where people gather, sing and dance. The next morning, people colour each other with dry powder and coloured water, with some water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight. Holi is of particular significance in the Braj region, which includes locations traditionally connected with Lord Krishna ~ Mathura, Vrindavan and Banaras.

In other parts of the country, the festival is being celebrated differently but with the same fervour. In Gujarat, UP, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, the festival is celebrated like the rest of India, by sprinkling coloured water and applying colours to each other. However, South India did not traditionally have this festival. Now Holi is celebrated in South India too, though limited to cities, with as equal a vigour as in the North.

 

Diwali

This is another major festival, which is celebrated with much gaiety in North India. The day commemorates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after his exile. Usually, on Diwali, the goddess Laxmi, a symbol of prosperity, is worshipped, people wear new clothes, share sweets and light firecrackers. This is how the festival of lights is traditionally celebrated all over India. However, in South India, it is celebrated with the same fervour, but with a different history. It commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura.

This day is celebrated as Deepavali (Diwali in the North) and it usually falls a day before the Diwali in North India. On this day, houses are cleaned, decorated with beautiful Rangoli designs on the doorstep. An elaborate oil bath is taken early in the morning before firecrackers are set off. Given the number of people who have migrated from North to South, the festival has witnessed a drastic change in the way it is celebrated. Now, people of South India are not only celebrating Deepavali the traditionally way but also the way the North celebrates it ~ with illuminationas and bursting firecrackers.

 

Durga Puja

Durga Puja is a ceremonial worship of the mother goddess and is one of the most important festivals of India. The festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Thus, Durga Puja festival epitomises the victory of Good over Evil.

The rituals entail ten days of fasting, feasting and worship. The last four days ~ Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami are celebrated with much grandeur. Durga Puja is mainly celebrated in the Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Orissa, Tripura and Manipur. 

 Apart from eastern India, Durga Puja also marks its presence in other parts of the country. For instance, in northern parts of the country, where the 10-day festivities end with Dushera, Ram Leela is staged on all the days and effigy of Ravana burnt on the last day. But pandals for Durga Puja crop up across several cities. The same is true in Gujarat and Maharastra also, where playing Dandiya is their main form of celebration. These states too organise Durga Pandals in different parts of major cities. Similarly, other states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala, organise Durga Puja as a part of their celebration thanks to a sizeable Bengali population.

 

Janmashtami

This is a celebration to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. The festival is celebrated in the North by fasting and staying up until midnight, when Krishna is believed to have been born. At midnight, devotees gather around for devotional songs, dance and exchanging gifts.

 In Uttar Pradesh, places associated with Krishna’s childhood, such as Mathura, Gokul and Vrindavan, Rasa Lila, depicting the life of Krishna is enacted on this day. However, residents of Dwarka city in Gujarat, where Krishna is believed to have spent his adulthood and established his kingdom, celebrate the festival by visiting the Dwarkadish temple. Many states like Maharashtra and Gujarat organise a Dahi Handi, to celebrate Krishna's playful and mischievous side, where teams of young men form human towers to reach a pot (handi) of butter strung up high. Lately, the Dahi-Handi celebration is seen in several other states too.

 

 Ganesh Mahotsav

Ganesh Mahotsav or Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to mark the birth of the elephant-headed God, Lord Ganesha. The 11-day festival witnesses much fanfare in Mumbai or western part of the country. On the occasion, most Hindu families install their own small clay statues for worship on Ganesh Chaturthi. As per the tradition of respective families, the domestic celebrations come to end an end after 11 days, when the statue is taken in a procession to a large body of water such as river or sea for immersion. Apart form Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated with the same fanfare in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh too. Now, the elephant god has stomped across several other states too, where the festival is celebrated with the same pomp and ceremony.

 

Karwa chauth

It won’t be wrong to say this is a festival, which gripped the whole country in just a short span of time. One this day Hindu married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the longevity of their husband. The festival is mainly observed in the states of Punjab, Haryana and other northern parts, but now other states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Western Bihar are observing it too.

In the South Karwa Chauth was not heard of, but thanks to TV serials, which insert a scene depicting this festival in a bid to lengthen their script it is slowly but surely gaining ground

 

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Jungle Jamboree, Gurgaon

There is no dearth of high-end restaurants-cum-bars in Gurgaon. However, among them there are very few that cater to family, including kids. To overcome this, Jungle Jamboree has come up with the largest theme-based restaurant in Delhi, designed to keep kids happy with a special menu and a kids zone. Located in Gurgaon's Gold Souk Mall, the restaurant is divided into five themes ~ jungle, aqua, hunting lodge, kids zone and sky garden.

Coming to the food, the restaurant offers a buffet or a seven-course meal on table. Their menu has a mix of popular European, Indian and Oriental dishes. The first course was a delectable platter of bite-sized starters ranging from spicy Papri chaat to crispy Caesar salad paired with Aam panna. The second course started with piping hot soup and a plateful of papads and fries ~ a refreshing and light course. An array of popular dishes were waiting in the third course ~ falafels, sushi, fish teriyaki to popular French crepes. The fourth course proved to be heavier as they served kababs, ranging from melt in the mouth galouti kababs on ulta paratha to North India's favourite Amritsari fish kababs or Dahi ke kababs. The fifth course comprised French crepes, pizza or the much-loved pasta and the sixth course was a true Indian fare with a traditional Hyderabadi biryani, spicy rara gosht and malai kofta and paneer makhani for the vegetarians. The seventh one ended on a sweet note with paan flavoured ice-cream.                       

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Pristine land

Gangtok has come a long way from being a small town on the trade route between Tibet and India.Yet it has preserved its pristine beauty and offers peace and a tranquil retreat, finds rakesh kumar

The year was 1975, when the beautiful state Sikkim became India’s 22nd state. The state capital Gangtok, a small northeastern town, was once a major stopover on the trade route between Lhasa in Tibet and cities such as Kolkata in British India. It now became the centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture. Located on the top of the ridge, it took us around fourhours to drive from Siliguri to Gangtok, courtesy the bumpy roads. But trust me, it is well worth the trouble and the city has a lot more to offer. 

What’s on offer
Take a close look at Tibetan culture and spirituality by visiting the stupas and Buddhist monasteries. For those who have an interest in wildlife, the Himalayan zoological park allows one to catch a glimpse of the elusive red panda along with barking deer and Himalayan bears.
And yes, don’t forget to admire the splendid beauty of Mt Khangchen--dzonga. How could you miss their fashion sense? Walking in the lanes of MG Road, one can sense a better dressing sense than Mumbai or Delhi. And of course, last but not the least, the tranquility of the city.

Hanuman Tok
 

Our first exploration began with a serene destination ~Hanuman Tok. Located at an altitude of 7,200 ft, the Tok is 11 km from Gangtok city. The Tok, which means temple, offers a spectacular view of the Kanchenjunga. However, there is a small history connected with the area. It is believed Lord Hanuman took rest for a moment at this place when he was on his way to Lanka from the Himalayas, carrying Sanjeevani herbs for Lakshman. The temple is popularly known to fulfill one’s wishes. As soon as we reached the place, we were lured by photographers, just as in other tourist destinations. Colourful flags add to the gaiety and the pine trees surrounding the temple made a lovely picture.

Calming hotel
 

Climbing up to Hanuman Tok was tiring. This drove us back to the hotel at Club Mahindra Gangtok, Royal Demazong. Like the city, our hotel, which was far from the main city, also offered a peaceful and calm environment. The hotel had 31 studio rooms equipped with all the major amenities. One could satiate hunger pangs by digging into some lip smacking delicacies at Orchid, a multi-cuisine restaurant that offers breathtaking views of the surroundings. Cooking workshops, kids’ club and Fun Zone are all there to keep the entire family entertained.

The next day
The morning started with a visit to the beautiful Flower Exhibition Centre. It was not too large but had an amazing collection of flowers of different types ~ some of the flowers I saw for the first time. They were beautifully arranged. If one is a lover of flowers, then be prepared to consume a lot of memory space on the phone or camera.

Monasteries 

Visiting Gangtok and missing the monasteries is unthinkable.Therefore, our next destinations were exploring monasteries like Rumtek and Ranka Monasteries. Located 23 km from Gangtok, at a pristine location, Rumtek monastery belongs to the Kargyu sect of Buddhists, which originated in the 12th century in Tibet. The architecture of the monasteryis one of the finest in the world and resembles the original one in Tsurphu, Tibet. As one enters its premises, the courtyard is full of monks' residences. The most striking part was the pictures of a very young Dalai Lama and a painting of Lord Ganesha on the entrance walls, linking Buddhism to Hinduism and Sanskrit.

Gangtok Zoo

Next on the list was the Himalayan Zoological Park, which is quite unique where animals are not kept in small cages but in big natural enclosures surrounded by walls. Just 6 km from the Gangtok city, the zoo has many rare and endangered species of animals like Red Pandas, Himalayan Black Bears, Snow Leopards, Clouded Leopard, Common Leopard and many others. Here,  be prepared for walking because often the animals hide inside their large open areas, so some luck or good timing is needed to be able to see them. For animal lovers or those who want to get away from the noisy city it is worth a visit.

Local delights

Gangtok’s local cuisine is a vast mix of taste and flavours. Begin with delicious momos, found everywhere from roadside shacks to costly restaurants, or gobble steamed flour dumplings or beat the cold with a warm bowl of delicious soup. Or choose Thupka, a common Tibetan style noodle soup, prepared with vegetables and meat or Sishnu Soup, a unique local dish, prepared from leaves of edible wild nettle. Every dish contains unique taste.

 

 

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Colonial connection

The imprint of British architecture is visible at every nook and corner of Darjeeling, from the buildings, memorials, churches, parks, schools, clubs and more. Rakesh kumar notices all this on his trip to the hill city

There  are  many reasons,  which  make  Darjeeling  a  favourite  destination for  many  tourists. Be  it  its  colonial  history  or  a  haven for film-makers, where  Rajesh  Khanna  in  his  jeep  serenades  Sharmila  Tagore  with  the song, “Mere Sapno Ki Rani Kab Aayegi Tu…”, its tea industry, or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. There are plenty of reasons to include Darjeeling in one’s “must-visit” list. Located on the lesser Himalayan range, Darjeeling has its fair share of history. It was the abode of the British during summer, as they would come here to ward off the searing heat of their Capital, Kolkata. The imprint of British architecture is still visible at every nook and corner of the town ~ from the buildings, memorials, churches, parks, schools, clubs and more ~ all somehow wear the colonial legacy. Our journey to the Darjeeling was a memorable one, from the time the plane landed at Bagdogra to when I left in a car for the hills. It was an around four-hour drive to Darjeeling, though the Google map showed it to be a two-hour journey. (Moral of the story: Don’t trust Google every time!)

Darjeeling Heritage Train

Our first encounter with the town began with the Darjeeling Heritage Toy Train. Its loud whistle could be heard far ahead of the main town. The traffic came to a halt for a while ~ they were, like us, patiently waiting for the train to pass. The moment the train crossed us we were reminded of some scenes from old and new Bollywood movies, including Burfi and Kahani. One thing that surprised us was the tracks ~ it was very narrow, just 2 feet. Built between 1879 and 1881 by British, the stretch from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling is 78 km. It runs from the lower plains all the way up to Ghoom at 7,407 ft (the highest point on any railway track in India) and then up to Darjeeling, and is considered to be an engineering ingenuity and a marvel. But owing to frequent landslides, most of this route is unusable today. Anyway, the fuming smoke and the shrill whistle of the steam engine not only makes the ride memorable but also nostalgic.

Colonial hotel

After having a first hand experience of the Toy Train, now it was time for another surprise. This time it was our hotel ~ Windamere Hotel. While checking into the hotel, Shubhana, the General Sales Manager told us this colonial heritage property and every room in it had some history connected. Here rooms are known by a name, not numbers. The room they provided us was named Rinzing Namgyal. I was told that Bollywood superstar Sharukh Khan too stayed in the same room for several nights during the shooting of the movie Main Hoon Na in 2004. Situated on the Observatory Hill in Darjeeling, the Windamere Hotel was established in the 19th century as a cosy boarding house for bachelor English and Scottish tea planters. The place was converted into a hotel just before the outbreak of the Second World War. The rooms are exactly the same as they were back then, with roaring coal fires, hot water bottles in the beds and huge closets (that housed everything that a tea planter would ever have needed for his stay). One is advised not to miss the afternoon tea, which is a world-renowned affair.

Tea Garden

No doubt Darjeeling has been the world's top tea producing place and known all over the world for the tea gardens producing "Champagne of Tea". There are many tea estate laid during the colonial days and still thriving. Many of them still have the original planters' bungalows with the old colonial charm and aura. After having a look at the abode of colonial tea planters, it was time to check their tea gardens. This led us to the Happy Valley Tea Estate, originally established by Wilson, an Englishman, in 1854. It was just 3 km away from Chowk Bazaar area but seeing the tea processing was an awesome experience. There were guides available to take us inside and show the entire tea production process. They produce variations like White tea, Green tea and Black tea. Most of the tea bushes in this estate are nearly 100 years old, some even older.

Batasia Loop

Batisia Loop is another attraction of Darjeeling, which can’t be ignored. Located on Hill Cart Road, Batisia Loop was commissioned in 1919. Trust me, there is no better place to get a panoramic view of Darjeeling's landscape, including the hill town and the snow covered peaks of the Eastern Himalayas with the majestic Kanchenjunga on one side. And all this from the middle of a lovely garden with flowers, around which the toy train track is laid, compelling one to fish out the camera. At the centre of the Batasia Loop is the War Memorial, which was opened in 1995 to commemorate the Gorkha soldiers of the Darjeeling Hills, who sacrificed their lives in various wars after India's Independence.

Age-old restaurant
Not only the places, the century-old restaurants in Darjeeling are historic and came up during British time. One of them was Keventer, which was converted from Edward Keventer's dairy farm in Ghoom. The farm was once famous forits dairy and piggery products. Yes it has Bollywood connection also ~ the Ranbeer Kapoor starer Burfi was shot here. The other one is Glenary’s, which was founded by an Austrian named Pliva. It has the famous bakery and Tea Room on the ground floor and a multi-cuisine restaurant in the upper floor.

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This article has been reproduced here : Rakesh Kumar

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Re-Café, Ambiance Mall

After the food, the other fascinating part of restaurants is their ambiance. They keep their décor attractive enough to lure their patrons: This is exactly what Re Café, a newly opened restaurant in Ambiance Mall, Vasant Kunj, did. The interiors are quite funky ~ small chairs, wall hangings, lights and even table mats, they have used everything very cleverly, not to miss the many fun games for children. For college students they provide tabs loaded with music, which they can be availed at any time.  Coming to the menu, it has a wide array of different dishes from around the globe. If one wants to try some snacks then there's Bhelpuri Aur Papad Cone in vegetarian, in non-vegetarian Reworked Wings could be good option and for fish lovers Crispy Rawa Sardines can a perfect option. There are many options in main course: If one is a lover of non-veg then try butter chicken platter or masala chicken platter, Nimbu Mirchi Meat and their specialty Nihari. Don’t want to eat Indian? Try some thin crust pizza or Regal Burgers or Egg Burgers. For those looking to grab a quick bite amid a shopping extravagaza, they have customised Maggie, the fiery Mumbiya sandwich or the innovative Three Jolly Sliders. The dessert section is an array of delicacies sure to keep one coming back for more. 

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Kylin Skybar, Ambience Mall

Candle light dinner has become the norm. But, what if these candles are joined by the moon to shed some extra light? The result would be pure joy. I felt exactly that while dining at the Kylin Skybar, a new entrant in Vasant Kunj. The ambiance was perfect. With dim lights and slow music, the whole dining area was open with lush green, that's too on the roof top. The moon too didn't seem too far. 

Situated on third floor of the Ambience Mall, the restaurant caters to only South Asian food, including Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian and Thai. For lovers of chicken, Sliced Chicken with Black Bean, Wok Fried Diced Chicken with Smoked Chillies can be a good option. Yes, don't forget to try Drunken Chicken, it will be cooked up at your table itself and you'll love not only the taste but also the way chef will prepare it for you. They call it their USP. Not satiated yet? Then go for Dimsums ~ they offer Curry Dimsum Vegetables, Spicy Shanghai Chicken Dimsum and Seiw Mai Chicken Dimsum. If opting for lamb, Tepanyaki Lamb Cumin and Coriander could be a good option and last but not least vegetable Hakka Noodles for those fond of noodles. Coming to dessert, spring rolls are served it with an ice cream ~ Fried Icecream Springroll ~ surprised?  

Meal for two: Rs 2,200

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48-hours in Gangtok

A trip to Gangtok is almost magical, recalls  rakesh kumar, whose 48 hours in the Himalayan paradise were a dream-come-true

The four-hour drive from Darjeeling to Gangtok went by in a flash. Every turn of the road presented a scenic beauty that we never tired of capturing in our cameras. Be it the lush green tea gardens, where women with baskets on their backs were busy plucking the leaves, or the sight of the river Teesta flowing by, the experience was  a dream come true. Indeed, it was no less than that as our sojourn at Darjeeling had left us craving for more.
 The two days at Darjeeling had passed equally fast as there were several things worth seeing there. Whether it was the early morning sunrise on the Tiger Hill ~ within minutes, the sun’s golden rays covers the whole range of mountains with liquid gold ~ or the thrill of riding the Toy Train to  the highest railway station of India ~ Ghum. Our visit to Darjeeling thus only served to whet our appetite for Gangtok. We left for Gangtok in morning as our driver turned into a guide. He told us that Gangtok meant “hill-top” and that till a few years back it was only popular among tourists from West Bengal but now it attracted tourists from other parts of the country as well. As he drove past the tea gardens one was reminded of a few Bollywood movies. The other unforgettable sight was the beautiful Teesta flowing in the opposite direction with a few rafters battling its currents. In fact, Teesta acts as a bounday between West Bengal and Sikkim and takes one to the town of Rangpo, where one enters Sikkim.

Sikkim welcomes

As we entered Sikkim we were halted by policemen, who demanded our identity cards. Our driver informed us that the security personnel were trying to check illegal Bangladeshi migrants. Located in the Shivalik Hills of the eastern Himalayan Range and surrounded by the towering peaks of the Himalaya, Gangtok has been a major pilgrimage centre for Buddhists. As one enters the city, a visitor will notice that Gangtok is different from Darjeeling ~ it is less populous, more clean and roads are wider with good pedestrian walks. Our journey came to an end at the hotel Club Mahindra Royal Damazong, which was a far bit away from the main town but peaceful.  

M G Road

We began our visit with Gangtok’s  popular market M G Road, which was recommended by everyone. Quite unlike any other M G Road or Mall Road located in other hill stations, the paved road was closed to traffic, and potted plants and benches were placed along the middle of the road, where people could sit and relax. But what struck us was that the street was so clean, it would not be wrong to call it the cleanest street in India. The entire stretch is dotted with quaint little eateries, sweetmeat shops, gift stores, glittering shops, restaurants and bars. There is one more market called Laal Market, which is bit less expensive, good for shopoholics and food connoisseurs ~ you can stop for hot momos and chowmein at one of the various cafés on the street.

Nathula pass

The next morning saw us visiting Nathula Pass, at 14,200 ft.  It is a mere 52 km from Gangtok, but due to construction work it takes more than four hours to reach the place. The road is full of stones and boulders, rubble and dust, dotted with villages and army establishments. Our hotel manager informed us that the Union government was developing a passage to Kailash Mansrover via this route. This would shorten the journey to Kailash Mansrover to 2-3 days, from 18 days if one went from Uttrakhand. 
 Ravines were so deep that looking into it was enough for our heart to skip not one but a dozen beats. But the beautiful view all along the way compensated it all. The more, we got closer to the border the more we found military presence. After some time, we came upon a board with the legend, “The Chinese observation area has started” and on the mountain to our right, “Mera Bharat Mahan”, indicating we had reached Nathula Border.
 Through a gate that read “Nathula”, we walked up some stairs and reached a place that looked more like the portico of one of the two buildings. Behind me was a building with the tricolor proudly fluttering, bringing out the Indian in each one of us. On the other side was a building painted in red, with golden pillars and a star at the top. That was China!
 The soldier guarding the fence told us that Nathula Pass was the place through which the famous Silk Route operated until 1962. But after the war broke out, it was closed for some 44 years and again reopened in July 2006, allowing limited trade between India and Tibet. Items of trade include yak hair and tail, silk brocades and clothes. Trucks from China come 8 km into India. 

Baba Mandir

The next stop was Baba Harbhajan Singh mandir, which is popularly known as Baba Mandir. Our driver told us the legend behind this place. Harbhajan Singh was on sentry duty in October 1968 when he disappeared. It is said, while escorting mules carrying provisions, he fell into a stream and drowned. After a few days he reappeared in the dreams of one of his colleagues and asked him to make a memorial here in his name. The sentries and guards here believe his spirit is still alive and he is, therefore, treated as a living being. In fact, there have been reports of Chinese soldiers across the border seing a turbaned sentry doing his rounds at night. Many sentries here believe that Harbhajan comes here every night as his camp bed sheet gets crumpled every morning and his polished shoes turn muddy by evening. Many who come here leave a bottle of drinking water, which they arrange to collect a few days later. It is believed that one can fulfill one's wishes by drinking that water. On one side of the temple is Harbhajan Singh's office and next to it is his dining place. The base camp had a Baba Mandir, which apparently was built for the convenience of the visitors (“Duplicate,” said our driver). The original one and the bunker were about 6 km away from that spot. 

Tsongmo Lake

The other halt was Tsongmo Lake (also called Changu Lake or Tsomgo Lake), which was calm and beautiful. Situated at an altitude of 12,400 ft, the lake reflected the azure sky in its crystal-clear water amidst snow-clad mountains. It is a sight worth taking the journey for. There were many Yak owners calling out to us for a ride. However, the time was running out and we had time to reach the hotel to try something hot like Thukpa and recall all we did and saw in the past 48 hours

 

 

 

 

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This article has been reproduced here : Rakesh Kumar

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The Hiatus, Qutub Hotel

There are very few restaurants in the city that allow their patrons to look into their cooking area. But The Hiatus, a new restaurant of Qutub Hotel not only provide a chance to take a peek into their kitchen but also have a small seating arrangement inside the kitchen, for those who want to enjoy the delicious flavours first hand. This is what the restaurant claims to be their best part. Located in South Delhi's chic hotel, the restaurant has a subtle architecture and a scintillating menu.

The restaurant has a huge space, divided into three parts: a good indoor seating arrangement; outdoor, they have alfresco, which is greened with giant bonsai trees; and a separate space just for a single family. Their vibrant ambience impressed us and as for food, well, we were expecting the same feel here too. The restaurant has mastered in serving world cuisine. The first thing we were offered was bread with three types of butter. I liked it. For starters there was a mezze platter, served with falafel, which tasted very good. Then came Thai rolls served with sweet chilli sauce. For the main course we did vegetables with garlic butter, soy and Thai curry red with steamed rice. Trust me, the food was delicious with perfect combination of veggies, spices and herbs. The colour, texture, everything was just perfect. A visit to the place is recommended.

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Two days in Goa

It is said the best way to discover new places is to travel on foot, but rakesh kumar suggests a better way ~ on a scooty!

Having heard and read much about the beauty and gaiety of Goa, it was finally time for me to experience the place in person. As soon as we landed at Goa airport, it was the rain, which welcomed us. And trust me, if Goa with its abundant greenery and beaches is beautiful, the rain seemed to add to it. Our hotel in North Goa was around one-and-a-half hour drive from the airport but taking in all the sights en route ~ lush green beauty, coconut trees all over, tiny huts and brightly cloured houses ~ made short our drive to the Hotel Country Inn and Suites by Carlson, Condlim.
It was late by the time we reached the hotel and planned to take a walk to the nearest beaches after dinner. While we made enquiries at the hotel desk, we were told that we could hire a scooty for just Rs 300 a day. The idea was fascinating and the group decided to wake up very early in the morning and explore Goa on bikes. As we stepped out into the night, we found many people, including girls, driving around on scooties. It certainly came as a surprise for us as it was by then midnight and in metro cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, girls will hesitate before stepping out at that hour.
The next day greeted us with a steady downpour and strong winds ensured many in our group chose to stay indoors and snuggle under a blanket. Finally, three of us ventured out to hire scooties. We were told that we could get the vehicle from any grocery shop and without any hassle of paper work. Surprisingly, they only asked for an identity card. While hiring the scooties, we noticed that these groceriy shops were also openly selling liquor. As we expressed our surprise, the shopkeeper smiled that alcohol consumption was quite common here.

Finally, we took to the roads of Goa on our colourful scooters. Frankly speaking, nothing seemed to be more thrilling than exploring the place on a scooty. During monsoon, Goa's weather is very unpredictable and one never knows when one will get a drenching. On a scooty, with the wind in one's hair, who cared about the rain.
Our first stop was Candolim beach, 15 km from Panjim. One of the longest beaches in the state, it is very calm and peaceful, though broken intermittently by the crashing waves. What adds to the scenic beauty of the sand and sea are the scrub-covered dunes at the back.
Our next stop was Fort Aguada, which was a Portuguese fort and is now protected by the Archaeological Society of India. The word Aguada means watering place in Portuguese. It once served as a chamber to store fresh water and also was a defence against the Dutch and the Maratha's. Now a part of it is a jail and another part open for visitors. A nice view of the Arabian sea can be obtained from here, a perfect place for photographs. And yes, a scene from the famous Bollywood movie Dil Chata Hain and Amitabh Bachchan starrer Bhootnath were shot here.

In evening, we headed towards Baga beach, which is located16 km from the state capital. It figures high on tourist itineraries as it offers a vibrant nightlife. The beach is full of shops on the white sandy beach lit with lamps, milling crowd and live bands, all adding up to a carnival-like ambience. Apart from the scenic pleasures, Baga Beach offers lots of activities for the tourists to indulge in.
For shopping, there are several markets in Goa but the ones that have become increasingly popular are the Ingo's Saturday Night market, the long-standing Anjuna Market and the Mackies Saturday Market. Our scooty stopped at Anjuna Market, with its many small street shops, from where one can buy clothes, accessories and other souvenirs. Moreover, there are many shops that sell cashewnut, the famous produce of Goa. Numerous wine shops scattered across the market are a good place to pick up a few bottle of wines for friends and family.
Talking about the city itself, its architecture echoed the Portuguese design. Visting Goa, it would be foolish to miss its famed churches. Our next halt was Old Goa, where the most imposing of all the churches,  Basilica of Bom Jesus is located. Its vaulted interior overwhelms the visitors by its sheer grandeur. This Cathedral has five bells, of which one is the famous Golden bell, the biggest in Goa and one of the best in the world. The church is dedicated to St Catherine and originally had two towers of which only one exists today.

The next day we were visiting the main city Punjim and had to regretfully give up our scooters.  

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Inviting tourists

Encouraging response from Indian tourists in the last six months has led Abu Dhabi to organise five roadshows in India to lure more tourists, reports rakesh kumar

After getting an overwhelming response from Indian tourists in the last two years, Abu Dhabi Tourism is now seeking to cash in on this segment of tourist arrivals. In a bid to reach out to a larger number of Indian tourists, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) has organised travel and trade roadshows across five Indian cities ~ Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Delhi. With the help of these roadshows, the Gulf country hopes to generate a high level of interest as a multi-faceted, unexplored and exotic destination for the aspirational Indian travellers. 
"Destination Abu Dhabi is fast becoming the new hot-spot for the high-end Indian travellers," said Bejan Dinshaw, country manager, TCA Abu Dhabi, India. "We enjoy a historic and cultural connect between our two countries. Abu Dhabi offers the charms of the Yas Island entertainment hub, Saadiyat Island cultural district, the historic Al Ain Oasis and the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort luxury oasis. The unparalleled array of interesting itinerary options makes Abu Dhabi a compelling destination." 

The response from the Indian market has been encouraging for Abu Dhabi. In the six months from January to June, a total of 107,995 Indians visited the country, clocking a growth of 35 per cent over the same period last year. These visitors delivered 408,862 guest nights at a growth rate of 22 per cent over the same period last. The other reasons that Abu Dhabi gives a credit to growing tourists from India is one of its most iconic landmark ~ the famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which was recently voted second in TripAdvisors' Travellers Choice awards for outstanding landmarks. 
"The upcoming roadshow emphasises our continued initiatives with all stakeholders on a pan-India level, when we hope to leverage on the emirate's increasing affordability with value through a highly competitive average room rate, which now stands at AED348, or just US $95," clarified Bejan. 
Abu Dhabi offers a vast range of attractions for one and all. Its Yas Island is becoming increasingly popular with Indian travellers as a complete entertainment destination. Apart from that, there are several attractions, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world's only Ferrari-branded theme park with more than 20 rides and the world's fastest rollercoaster, Formula Rossa, reaching speeds up to 240 kmph! 

F1 fans can have a thrilling experience with the state-of-the-art F1 track at Yas Marina Circuit, where petrol heads can drive a Formula Yas 3000 or Aston Martin GT4 around the same circuit as the pros. 
Yas Waterworld ~ featuring 43 rides, slides and attractions spanning a sprawling 15-hectares ~ is an award-winning water park. Soon to open, just prior to this November's Formula 1 Etihad Airways

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, is the eagerly awaited Yas Mall, which will be the emirate's largest shopping mall. Along with this, the country also hosts many top-of-the-line renowned events throughout the year. Among the most popular events are: November's Formula 1 Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Art; January's Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship; and the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon in March.

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This article has been reproduced here : Rakesh Kumar

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