BEST MONTHS: August
FESTIVALS:2 AUG Kandy Esala Perahera 2022 (Srilanka)
18 AUG Janamashtami Vrindavan (India)
31 AUG Ganesh Chaturthi Mumbai (India)
The Esala Perahera in Kandy is one of the oldest and grandest of all Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka, featuring dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers, and lavishly decorated elephants. This is held in Esala (July or August) which is the month that is believed to commemorate the first teaching given by the Buddha after he attained enlightenment. The Kandy Esala Perahera lasts for ten days while various festivities can be witnessed right throughout. The Sinhalese term ‘Perahera’ means a parade of musicians, dancers, singers, acrobats and various other performers accompanied by a large number of caparisoned Tuskers and Elephants parading the streets in celebration of a religious event. The Esala Perahera in Kandy is celebrated to honour the Sacred Tooth Relic and the four ‘guardian’ Gods Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Goddess Pattini. The Kandy Maligawa Perahera is followed in order by those of the Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini ‘Devales’ (Temples dedicated to these Gods) which are situated in the vicinity of the Kandy Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth).
Janmashtami, Hindu festival celebrating the birth (janma) of the god Krishna on the eighth (ashtami) day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September). The number eight has another significance in the Krishna legend in that he is the eighth child of his mother, Devaki, The occasion is observed especially in Mathura and Vrindavan (Brindaban), the scenes of Krishna’s childhood and early youth. On the preceding day, devotees keep a vigil and fast until midnight, the traditional hour of his birth. Then the image of Krishna is bathed in water and milk, dressed in new clothes, and worshipped. Temples and household shrines are decorated with leaves and flowers; sweetmeats are first offered to the god and then distributed as prasada (the god’s leftovers, which carry his favour) to all the members of the household. The devotees of Krishna commemorate the events of his birth by preparing elaborate representations of Mathura, where he was born, the Yamuna River, over which he was transported to safety, and Gokul (ancient Vraja), the scene of his childhood, using small images of the god, the other participants, and the animals and birds of the forest. Pots of milk are hung from tall poles in the streets, and men form human pyramids to reach and break the pots—this in imitation of Krishna’s childhood play with the cowherd boys, when they stole the curds hung out of reach by their mothers. The festival is also a time for group singing and dancing.
Ganesh Chaturthi commemorates the birthday of Lord Ganesh. Hindus believe it to be the most powerful day to worship the beloved elephant-headed god who is revered for his ability to remove obstacles. On this day, beautiful, handcrafted idols of the Lord are installed both in homes and in public. Prana Pratishtha is performed to invoke the power of the deity into the idol, followed by a 16-step ritual known as "Shodashopachara Puja." During the ritual, various offerings including sweets, coconuts, and flowers are made to the idol. The ritual should be performed at an auspicious time around midday (Madhyahna) when Lord Ganesh is believed to have been born. It's important, according to tradition, not to look at the moon during certain times on Ganesh Chaturthi. If a person sees the moon, according to Hindu mythology, they'll be cursed with accusations of theft and dishonored by society unless they chant a certain mantra. Furthermore, anyone who saw the moon from then on would be cursed in a similar way. The idols of Lord Ganesh are worshiped every day, with an "aarti", a ritual of worship, in the evening. The largest Ganesh statues, on display to the public, are taken out and immersed in water on Anant Chaturdashi in grand street processions featuring a cacophony of traditional drumming and crackers. Many people who keep an idol in their homes carry out the immersion much before this though. However, such immersions only take place on certain days -- one and a half, three, five, and seven days after Ganesh Chaturthi.
Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession.
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– The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kandy is a place where people of all ages gather, especially at the weekends. The garden is famous for its countless (4000+) species of plants and trees. It is situated a 15-minute drive west of Kandy, and is a great escape from the city. Wander around the massive garden, take a towel and relax in the grass or sip a drink at one of the cafes.
The Temple of the Tooth, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a beautiful golden-roofed Buddhist Temple in the heart of Kandy. Plan an early-morning visit to skip the crowds and see the legendary tooth relic of Buddha (yes the actual Buddha!). No expense is spared to protect the tooth, which is enclosed inside several golden boxes, covered in jewels.
The Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue is the biggest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka. This 88-foot high statue is nestled within the hilltops above Kandy, in the shadow of the Knuckles mountain range. The top can easily be reached by car or motorbike, and a small climb up the stairs will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the city.
To answer the question as to what to buy in Bhutan, one can start from the most popular handicraft items that are available here – items made from cane and bamboo materials. There are a plethora of shops in the country that sell these items. There are floor mats, baskets, wall-hangings, utensils, and much more. There is a usage of natural dyes as well to help make these products
Sri Lankan women wear the traditional saree in many occasions. For instance, we stumbled upon many ladies looking radiant in their colourful silk sarees during evening events at luxury hotels. But there were also women in Sri Lanka who wore their sarees to go shopping for groceries or pray at the temple and we liked that a lot. Sarees may be more expensive there but they are made of top quality silk.
No matter which part of Sri Lanka you’re spending time at, you will see that hand-woven items made of cane or coconut leaves are sold literally everywhere. You can choose among hats, bags, baskets, mats, trays or even plates to name but a few.
As you'd expect from an island in the Indian Ocean, seafood plays an important role in Sri Lankan cuisine. Fish ambul thiyal (sour fish curry) is one of the most beloved varieties of the many different fish curries available. The fish -- usually something large and firm, such as tuna -- is cut into cubes, then sauteed in a blend of spices including black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, garlic, pandan leaves and curry leaves. Perhaps the most important ingredient is dried goraka, a small fruit responsible for giving the fish a sour flavor. Originating in southern Sri Lanka, it's available throughout the country at restaurants that serve curry, and is best eaten with rice.
Sri Lanka has been influenced by a diversity of cultures and one of the most evident is the Dutch Burgher community. Lamprais, a word that combines the two Dutch words for "lump" and "rice," is a combination of meat, rice and sambol chili sauce, wrapped into a banana leaf packet and steamed. The rice is cooked with meat stock -- usually a combination of different meats like beef, pork or lamb -- that's infused with cardamom, clove and cinnamon. A scoop of rice is placed in the center of a banana leaf, along with the mixed meat curry, two frikkadels (Dutch-style beef balls), blachan (a shrimp paste) and a starch or vegetable, usually either ash plantain or brinjals. The package is folded into a parcel and steamed.
Jackfruit is consumed in a number of different stages of ripeness, from very ripe and sweet to green and starchy. Polos is a Sri Lankan curry prepared with young green jackfruit. The fruit is sliced into bite-sized chunks and boiled until soft. It's then cooked with onions, garlic, ginger and spices like mustard seeds, turmeric, chili powder, roasted curry powder, pandan leaves and curry leaf sprigs. The final step is to add coconut milk and simmer to reduce most of the liquid, leaving all the beautiful flavors within the cubes of jackfruit. Jackfruit has a starchy texture, somewhat similar to cassava or potato. Polos is a standard dish available at most Sri Lankan curry restaurants.
Vrindavan is a holy town in Uttar Pradesh, northern India. The Hindu deity Krishna is said to have spent his childhood here. It’s home to temples, many dedicated to Krishna and his lover, the deity Radha. At Banke Bihari Temple, the curtain in front of Krishna’s statue is opened and closed every few minutes. At Radha Raman Temple, a gold plate beside Krishna signifies Radha. Prem Mandir is a huge white marble temple.
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Our Suites are lavish living spaces spanning 345 sq. ft., which can accommodate upto 3 adults and 2 children. They have a characteristic design that features beautiful fixtures, intricate decor and decorative furnishings. These fully air-conditioned suites come stocked with modern amenities to make your stay enjoyableOther amenities included in these suites are a tea & coffee maker, a minibar on request, a comfortable king size bed, a separate living room and an in-room safe.
Visit The Most Important Attraction, When you ask someone about what to do in Vrindavan, visiting the Banke Bihari Temple is perhaps the first thing that is suggested by them. This is one of the most popular and significant temples that cover the floors of Vrindavan. Falling in the list of seven temples dedicated to ‘Thakur of Vrindavan’, Banke Bihari is a marvel to behold. Adorning the Rajasthani style of architecture, this temple has several arched windows and some stunning stonework that attracts architecture lovers. One can hear the melodious chants of Radha Krishna till far from the temple.
Lose Yourself In Melodious Rhythms Of Kirtan, Another one of the famous things to do in Vrindavan is paying a visit to the famous ISKCON temple. Also named as Krishna Balaram Mandir, the idea behind establishing the ISKCON temple was to promote the teachings of the Vedas and the holy Bhagavad Gita. Constructed in 1975, ISKCON Vrindavan is not only famed for its tranquility that is easy to embrace but also the marvelous structure. The entire temple is made of white marvel and adorns an archway that leads straight to the samadhi of Swami Prabupada, who was the founder of ISKCON.
Witness The Spot For Rasleela, Vrindavan is a destination that is known for being a destination that has holy tales revolving around Lord Krishna, Sri Radha, and the gopis. One such place in Vrindavan, where Krishna rested with Radha is Nidhi Van, a shrine. There is a bed that is decorated every evening by the priests. It is believed that every night, Lord Krishna visits the spot with Radha and performs the famous Ras Leela along with gopis. For this very reason, no one is allowed inside the premises after the sun settles down. There is a tale of a priest who was found dead after spending a night inside the shrine.
The best souvenir piece to be taken from Vrindavan is the Marble Replicas. Vrindavan shopping destinations are known for many souvenirs to take with you as the token of memory. Among them, marble replicas are very famous. Here you can collect different marble crafts in various styles like vases, ornamental boxes, statues, plates, tabletops etc. This gift article made of white and pure marble grabs tourist attention to own it.
Handicrafts are the most preferable things to buy in Vrindavan. We know that Vrindavan is the land of Krishna and they are very much fond of crafts. That’s why till now, Vrindavan is home for a number of craftsman. Here you can find various styles of handicrafts like flower pots, marble soap stones, glass handicrafts, different statue handicrafts, etc. Handicrafts of Vrindavan are the must to buy.
Traditional Hari-Nama Chadar. This is a chadar / shawl which has the Hare Krishna maha mantra written on it in the Sanskrit Devanagri Language. Harinama Chadars are traditionally worn by devotees of Krishna when they perform Harinam Sankirtan or the public chanting of the Hare Krishna maha mantra. They are very auspicious as they contain the Lord's holy name and can be worn at any time. Hari Nama chadars are available in the traditional orange color and also in white. Size: 82-88 inches by 42-44 inches.
Malpua is a famous Indian dessert prepared from a fermented item, and is deeply fried and soaked in sugar syrup. This is one of the famous food of Mathura & Vrindavan; you will find it in every corner.
Mathura & Vrindavan offers pedas of different shapes and sizes with different prices and flavors. Whenever you are planning to visit Mathura & Vrindavan don’t forget to carry a large packet with yourself to keep the boxes of pedas in it as you will not find the same pedas anywhere.
Makhan Mishri is the favorite food of Lord Krishna, and the famous delicacyof Mathura & Vrindavan. It is served like prasad in the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. It has fresh makhan on top and mishri cubes in the bottom.
Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) is a densely populated city on India’s west coast. A financial center, it's India's largest city. On the Mumbai Harbour waterfront stands the iconic Gateway of India stone arch, built by the British Raj in 1924. Offshore, nearby Elephanta Island holds ancient cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The city's also famous as the heart of the Bollywood film industry
The Taj Mahal Palace opened in Mumbai, then Bombay, in 1903, giving birth to the country’s first harbour landmark. The recently trademarked flagship hotel overlooks the majestic Gateway of India. This legendary hotel in Mumbai has played host to kings, dignitaries and eminent personalities from across the globe, and is acknowledged as a world leader in hospitality. Each of the rooms 285 rooms & suites are a striking blend of nostalgic elegance, rich history and modern facilities. Strategically located in Mumbai’s prime historical and commercial hub, Come, experience the legend.
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Located on the Apollo Bunder waterfront facing the Arabian Sea, Gateway of India is as an outstanding city sightseeing place. One of the most famous activities in Mumbai, visiting the Gateway of India is a must-do. Facts say that on March 31, 1913, the Governor of Bombay laid the foundation stone for this wonderful structure. The building's height is 26 meters. It is a mixture of religious symbols of Hindu and Muslim and expresses India's unity. The region is flocked by balloon sellers, photographers, street food vendors selling delicacies like bhel puri and papri chaat.
On the most iconic things to do in Mumbai is visiting the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. This impressive, exuberant and crowded train station is the most elaborate Gothic building in the city and an extension from India in the colonial era. This is one of the most iconic places to visit in Mumbai. One of the busiest railway stations in the city, you can visit this place to know the hustle of the people living here. Do not forget to admire this lovely structure complete with wooden carvings, pretty iron and brass work and much more.
Elephanta Caves is a wonder of architecture that spreads over 60,000 square feet. Accredited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this site has incredible rock-cut caves that depict Lord Shiva's cult and can only be reached by ferries from India's Gateway and it is one of the fun things to do in south Mumbai. It is one of the nicest activities in Mumbai that is bound to fill your heart with peace. A fascinating latticework of courtyards, halls, pillars and shrines constitute the main Shiva-dedicated temple. A 6m-high Sadhashiva statue depicting Shiva as the destroyer, creator and preserver of the universe, is the main attraction here.
Apart from being the “Land of Diversity”, India is also described often as the “Land of Spices”. There is hardly any other country in the world except India where you can get so many types of spices. During your visit to Mumbai, you will get plenty of chances to bag some of those exotic Indian spices. As soon as you enter the spice shop, your senses will get elevated with the smell of freshly grounded spices. Mirchi Galli in Kalbadevi and Lalbaug Spice Market in Lower Parel are surely the most favourite stops to buy Indian spices. While roaming on the lanes of spice market, don’t hesitate to invest in saffron, chilli powder, nutmeg, cardamom and cinnamon.
If you take care of your home as much as you do take care of yourself, then you should bring something occasionally to decorate your home. Mumbai is one of the best places in the country to shop for home décor items. Lampshade artisans of Mumbai are particularly known for their craftsmanship. You will be amazed to the variety of lampshades this city offers. The collection includes everything from modern urban style to traditional designs. In fact, the material or cover of these lampshades are made of all sorts of cotton fabric, leather, soil, metal, wires and paper in order to create different looks. Colaba Causeway and Chor Bazaar are best places to shop for lampshades.
Chappals has always been an integral part of Indian Men fashion scene. Although Kolhapuri chappals originated in Kolhapur but they are hugely popular and easily available all across Maharashtra including Mumbai. If you love to flaunt your traditional attires every now and then, you can’t afford to lose this golden opportunity to buy few pairs of Kolhapuri chappals in different colours to match your dresses. These hand-crafted chappals are quite famous for their unique designs and vibrant hues. Making of a pair of Kolhapuri chappals is really fascinating as they are all hand-made and it can even take more than a month to finish the process. Linking Road and Colaba Causeway can offer you some good pairs of Kolhapuri chappals.
Butter Chicken Sushi Roll is what the Bombay Roll at Yugo Sushi is better known as. If you aren’t one to find ‘paan’ macarons and gulab jamun cheesecakes blasphemous, you’ll love the slightly dry butter chicken (not a bad thing, can’t possibly have curry dripping through the roll) wrapped in nori sheet with pickled vegetables.
Bombil Fry of which the Bombil Fry makes for a great starter or even an accompaniment to your meal.
Mumbai’s favourite snack, the pocket-friendly vada pav, comes to the rescue when you want something quick. Even though Ladoo Samrat serves a host of Maharashtrian delicacies, nothing beats their vada pav, a perfect blend of spice and crunch
From caves, temples and mosques to palaces and stupas, India boasts an architectural ...
A nations cultural and natural heritage embodied in buildings, monuments and natural
