Pilgrimages of India

The secular country of India has fostered each religion with great care and reverence. People here are deeply religious and respect the other religions as well. Many pilgrims undertake a yatra or haj to offer their prayers and seek blessings from the almighty. Whole India is dotted with pilgrimage centers that are an abode of divinity and spirituality. Be it north India, or south. east or west, pilgrims horde to tes shrines to have that ultimate feeling of spirituality.

The North India Pilgrimages include the holy yatra to Char Dhams – Yamonotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath - , Amarnath Yatra (Kashmir), Vaishno Devi yatra (Kashmir), Himachal Pradesh, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura, Vrindawan, Allahabad, Varanasi, Ujjain, Pushkar and many more. The South India Pilgrimages comprise of Tirupati Tirumala Balaji, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Ramaeshwaram, Chidambaram.

While the East India Pilgrimages will take you to Kamakhya Devi Shrine, Puri, Bhuwaneshwar, Konark. The West India Pilgrimage will show you the temples of Dwarka, Somnath, Siddhivinayak, Mumba Devi, Ashtvinayaka, Nasik.

Besides circuits, one more criteria can filter the pilgrimages of India. Based on religious beliefs, the pilgrimages can be talked in terms of Hindu Pilgrimages, Sikh Pilgrimages, Jain Pilgrimages, Buddhist Pilgrimages, Muslim Pilgrimages and Christian Pilgrimages.

We have seen the Hindu Pilgrimages. Now we shall talk about Sikh Pilgrimages. Golden Temple in Amritsar and Anandpur Sahib are two most revered Sikh pilgrimages. The Jain Pilgrimages centers include sites located in the Karnataka state at Sravanabelagola and Mount Abu in Rajasthan.

The Buddhist Pilgrimage Circuit will take you to Bodhgaya, Lumbini, Vaishali, Sarnath, Nalanda, Kaushambi, Shravasti, Kushinagar and Rajgir. The Muslim Pilgrims pray at Ajmer Sharif, Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid and visit Fatehpur Sikri. The Christian Pilgrimages take us to many churches of Goa and other regions of India. These pilgrimage centers hold special prominence among Indians.

Chowki Dhani – An Ethnic Indian Village Resort

Introduction to Chowki Dhani

The charismatic lands of Rajasthan is proud to house one of the most ethnic Indian village resorts in Jaipur – Chowki Dhani. The resort is fun filled abode of languor and halcyon. The resort is a perfect amalgamation of ethnicity and modernity where the rustic charm of rural Rajasthan breathes amidst all modern amenities. The resort is must for every traveler who wishes to get the pulse of traditions and culture of Rajasthan. More than it, your stay will be memorable, memories worth cherishing life long.

The guests are assured of warm hospitality at right hands. This “Fine Hamlet” is a Five star ethnic resort that encapsulates the very essence of heritage.

Accommodation At Chowki Dhani

The resort has prepared itself to accommodate many guests at a time. With 59 double occupancy cottages, 33 royal cottages and 8 Haveli suites, the resort promises an exciting stay. The ambiance of the resort is unique and one of its kind. The rooms are done exquisitely and tastefully with ethnic décor.

The rooms are spacious with facilities like

• 24-hour Room Service

• Attached bathrooms running hot and cold water

• Telephone

• C.T.V.

• Air Conditioner

• Channel Music

• Mini Fridge

• Mini Bars

• Adorned with ethnic décor

The 59 cottages at Chowki Dhani are just too perfect to represent the rural charisma. They are small and cozy with modern facilities. The interiors are done with great effort and keeping in mind the taste of guests. The 33 royal cottages are a mirror to village lifestyle with dreamlike quality. The Shekhawati Haveli suites are another name for luxury and comfort.

Cuisines At Chowki Dhani

The resort is well equipped with serving the guest the best cuisines and more prominently Rajasthani cuisines. It takes care of the taste buds and the redolent cuisines take the gourmets over. There are many food joints where the guests are sure to have a treat. The following food joints of Chowki Dhani are must for everyone:

• Bindola Restaurant

• Aarogosa Restaurant

• Chandi Mahal Bar

• Kesar Kyari

• Chaupual

Here you have the rustic ambiance sprinkled with live soft music like Ghazals and Indian, Continental and Chinese Cuisine. An icing on the cake is an open air barbeque setup where the visitors can enjoy sitting on antique wheel sitouts that gives pleasure of checking out some delectable kebabs, sizzlers and barbequed delicacies. Unwind yourself at sheesha Bar and choice of hukkah flavours.

Entertainment At Choki Dhani

When it comes to entertainment, the resort is no short of attractions. Visitors to the resort have come back home with lifelong memories. You can enjoy:

• Rides like Camel Ride, Horse Ride, Bullock Cart Ride, tonga ride,

• Boating in Tal Talaiya

• Hangout places like Mandir Devra,

• Heena

• Museum

• Photo Studio

• Haat Bazaar

• Folk Dance and Music Show

• Acrobatics on a Bamboo- Nat Ro Kartab

• The Puppet Show

• The Magic Show

• Living amalgam of a snake and a girl

• Sanp-Sidhi Ro Khel

• Bhool Bhulaiya

• Jungle Sair

• Gufa Jharni

• Fortune Teller

At A Glance

Accessibility: Chokhi Dhani - The Ethnic Village Resort is located 5 km. from Airport, 18 km. from Bus Station, 18 km. from Railway Station.

Category: 5 star Ethnic Village resort

Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan

Accommodation: 59 double occupancy cottages, 33 royal cottages and 8 Haveli suites.

KUNDAN JEWELERY IN INDIA

INDIAN WOMAN AND KUNDAN JEWELERY

Since ages the women in India have loved to adorn themselves with jewelery. Jewelry holds a prominent place in a woman's life. An Indian woman loves to buy, don and preserve her jewelry and this stands true for almost every woman irrespective of her nationality and origin. The markets also prepare itself to meet up to the expectations of a woman and keep up the standards. The aura of breathtaking silver, gold and platinum jewelery is enhanced by the kundans, the precious gem stones.

HISTORY OF KUNDAN JEWELERY

The kundan style of jewelery making has been impacted by the Mughal dynasty. This art was originated as an outcome of a vision of Shah Jehan , the Mughal Emperor, and the art of enameling transmuted in the more elegant style of jewelery making. The art refers to enameling intricate combinations to make exquisite jewelery pieces. These pieces are worn as chokers (gulband) and necklaces (haar). There is a wide variety of motifs that can be seen in the jewelry pieces of kundan jewelery raging from flowers to plants, scrolling vines and animal forms.

THE ART OF KUNDAN

Anything can be made from this art of jewelery making. The enameled metal can be used variously making jewelery pieces like maang tika, earrings, nose pins and nose rings, necklaces, chokers, bangles, armlets, anklets and trinkets. The goldsmiths fashions out beautiful pieces by filling the cells with granular glasses and firing at temperatures of over 800°C. The Vitreous Enamel is a true glass fused to metal. With changing times, the techniques of enameling have also changed.

THE TRADITIONAL KUNDAN JEWELERY

The conventional kundan jewelery has stones that are encrusted on one side and vibrant peculiar meenakari on the reverse side. The adept goldsmiths skillfully set the gems and stones in rarely solid gold. He makes cuts for the gems, engraves and enamels the pieces. Lac serves as the base for these ornaments. Later he fills lac in the hollow parts and it is then visible from the front through the holes that are left for gems. The lac is covered by immensely refined gold or kundan and lacs and gems are then pushed into the kundan. A single piece of kundan jewelery is an upshot of enameler who does the enameling, the goldsmith who looks afte rthe gold, the stone setter who sets the stones as as jade, agate, garnet, emerald, rock crystal, topaz, amethyst, and spinel into kundan.

BUYING A KUNDAN JEWELERY

• Do crosscheck the ornaments as old, solid gold jewelry are at times filled as shellac.

• You can make out the old pieces by seeing the design and color. The older the piece, the more peculiar and intricate design and more vibrant the color.

• Identify the fake diamonds by seeing the surface. Pure diamonds do not have any rents, fissures, specks and scratches.

• Look for the mellow opaque appearance. If you find that in the ornament, then it is real kundan. Artificial kundan is transparent and it shimmers.

TAKE CARE OF KUNDANS

• The following tips can be useful to preserve your kundan sets and will give them a longer life:

• Wipe the jewelery with a suede cloth to restore its shine after use.

• The jewelery should be placed between layers of cotton and sealed in a plastic bag to avoid contact with oxygen.

• Kundan jewelery should never be cleaned with soap and water.

• The silk chord should be handled with care and so never be touched with wet hands as it causes discoloration of the zari.

Today Kundankari has not only find its place in the hearts of Indian women but women all across the globe. The beauty of these beautiful pieces has adorers from far and wide.

Swati

Varied Facets of India

India is a dream destination for everyone. Everyone once here, hopes to come again and again to the charismatic land of India. With so many destinations and attractions, Tourism in India has boomed up.The varied topography of India helps in conjuring up an enchanting image of India on a global platform. From undulating mountains, to the cascading waterfalls, the virgin plains, the wandering rivulets, the torrential seas, then exciting backwaters, the exotic flora and fauna, the revered pilgrimages, the glorious historical relics, the extravaganza of culture, the heart throbbing adventures - everything of India is simply superb to see and enjoy. With so much diversity the country is bound to have different facets. Lets see each mood of India and explore more about this dream destination.

HISTORICAL INDIA

The history of India is much glorious and rich. India has seen inception, survival and decline of many dynasties since times immemorial. Beginning with Indus Valley Civilization, it eventually saw growth of Iron Age Vedic Period with a rise of Mahajanpadas, in which Magadha, Mahavir, and Gautam Budha were born. The chronological empires and reign of Maurya, Chera, Gupta, Chalukayas, Cholas, Pallavas and Pandayas led the eras to be termed as “Golden Age of India”. The later eras of India saw British rule and was made a dependent nation of British East India Company. In 1947, when India regained its freedom and independence, a new historical saga was to start which is continuing till date. The relics of the celebrated history are still preserved in one or the other way in India.

PILGRIMAGE INDIA

India is a secular country where you will find that each religion is given due importance and respect. The august pilgrimage centers of India are much esteemed. These pilgrimages are a witness of religious cult in Indians. You will find India dotted with pilgrimages and pilgrims. Right from extreme North to utter South, from remote East to distant West. Pilgrimage Tours in India have been a top notch choice among travelers. Many religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism have incepted here. All significant and awe inspiring places of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains are here in India. Besides, many rivers of India are also deemed sacred which purges our sins and are a source of salvation.

ADVENTUROUS INDIA

India is a much sought after destination for adventure sports. A wide variety of alternatives for winding out makes India an Adventurer's paradise. These sports are helpful in letting your spirits free and explore the new side of you personality. You enjoy these sports on land, in water and even in air. Discover the virgin terrains, find out new horizons, everything is just exciting. Come to India to enjoy Trekking, Hiking, Skiing, Para Gliding, Para Sailing, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Yachting, Fishing and Angling, Wildlife Safaris, Camel Safaris, Elephant Safaris, Jeep Safaris, Motorbike Safaris, Yak Safaris, Caving, Camping, Cruising. A helluva roller coaster of fun and thrill.

CULTURAL INDIA

India is a land of mystifying culture. And this mystifying attribute comes from the storehouse of cultural heritage. Since ages, the antediluvian Indian culture has retained the same essence. Yes, there are some influences on it, but the haecceity of Indian culture remains the same. Its culture is manifested in the lifestyle of people, the traditional legacy, the rites – rituals – customs, the festivals, the arts and crafts, the dances, the music, the languages, the costumes, the jewelery. Almost everything oozes with the quiddity of Indian culture. Here you find the beginning of ceremonial rites right from the birth which last till death and even after that.

With the commencement of the year people soak themselves in festivities and merrymaking. With each changing region you hear a new language moreover even a new dialect. If in one region you find a style of dressing up, the other part will have altogether different style. Even different colors of dresses connotes different meaning. A given color may be auspicious in one community but not in other. The heritage of folk and classical dance and music has surpassed the test of time. Even today people relate with each other and share the same set of Indian Values.

HERITAGE INDIA

The legacy of Indian heritage and culture is quite rich. Each state of India has a unique aura of heritage which is embodied in its architecture and monumental glories. Each monument depicts the story of the by gone times, the richness and exquisiteness of royalty and sovereignty. The temples, mosques, churches, gurudwars, monasteries, forts, palaces, mansions all have something to tell us about a spiritual or historical aspect of India. The architectural wonders of India have been a great attraction among national and international tourists. Everyone coming to India dreams to capture those ecstatic moments of rapture in their cameras. The majestic Taj Mahal has long back secured its positions in the wonders of world. Besides Taj, there are other monuments that command our attention. Jantar Mantar, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Amber Palace, City Palace, Nahargarh Palace, Sabrimala Temple, Golden Temple, Jama Masjid, Churches of Goa, St. Sebastian Church etc. are to name some.

NATURAL INDIA

The topography of India has been blessed with bountiful nature. Some very beautiful landscapes, mountains, rivers brooks, seas, forests house in India. Besides, there is also rich packhouse of exotic flora and fauna. In the jungles, Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks you will find the rare and endangered species of animals, birds, reptiles, avifauna, flowers and plants. Lion, tiger, boar, bear, sambhar, cheetal, deer, reindeer, nilgiri tahr, wild buffaloes, rhinos, hippos innumerable birds both migratory and non-migratory and many alike take refuge in India. Mother nature takes special care of its resources.

India has so many facets that conjures up the image of India being a Wonderland !

Swati

A Prologue to India

I am a proud citizen of Republic of India or fondly called INDIA. I take pride in being an Indian. I do not believe in hailing from any specific state, any religion, any class, caste and creed or race; but I only believe in being an Indian - a responsible proud Indian. My India has been a home to Indus Valley Civilization and now it has come a long way. Which other country can boast of being so charismatic as my India. On one hand there is a diadem of majestic hills of Himalayas in the North, while on the other its feet are washed by Arabian Sea. With 28 states and 7 union territories, the constituency of India has been deemed as the remarkable democratic country. Accumulation of varied topographical, cultural, racial, religious diversity makes India so extraordinary. “Diversified yet Unified” - this is what my India is.

India is a melting pot where you will find polylingual multiethnic society. Probing in history of India tells us that the major religions vis a vis Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism have found their inception here. Further the multiethnicity of India was intensified by assimilation of Islam and Christianity. Once being colonized by Britain, it has now emerged as a superpower nation capable enough to take challenges and come out as a victor. This “Golden Bird” of world has attracted many people from far and wide since times immemorial.

Visit to India is a complete fun, featuring everything – sacred pilgrimages, legendary heritage, bountiful nature, splendid mountains, meandering rivers, mischievous seas, adventurous trails, docile plains, velvety desert, sedating hill stations, extravaganza of festivities and moments of frolicking. Come to India and feel the bliss of the exceptional country.

Swati