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Author: Priya Sengupta

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Fair and Festivals in India in February 2014

camel fair pushkar rajasthan

Browse through the best of what’s on in February in India scheduled by date & Places

1 Nagaur Fair

The calm town of Nagaur is one of the most charming villages in the Rajput townships; the town comes to life throughout the Nagaur fair. The cattle fair prearranged in this consign is the 2nd largest in the state of Rajasthan. It is held once in a year during the month of Magh as per Hindu almanac, which happens on the months of January or February. The fair is famed for its camel, cow, horse and bullock deal. The holders stand beside their animals grand colorful turbans and massive moustaches.

Naguar Cattle Fair

Fair Place: Naguar Rjasthan

Date: Feb 6-9, 2014 (Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun)

Duration: 4 Days Kota

2. Baneshwar Fair

Baneshwar fair is a main tribal fair held at Dungarpur in Rajasthan. The fair is prearranged at Baneshwar, which is a small delta placed 50 km from the city of Dungarpur in February. The word ‘Baneshwar’ means the ‘master of the delta’ and is consequent from the Mahadev temple in Dungarpur

Baneshwar fair

Fair Place: Nagaur, Rajasathan
Date: Feb 10-14, 2014 (Mon-Fri)
Duration: 5 days

3. Desert Festival  

The Royal state of Rajasthan arranges the annual and unusual Desert Festival once in a Year. The festival is illustrious to showcase the culture, traditions and endowment in the state of Rajasthan, especially in the city of Jaisalmer. It is held for a period of 3 days, either in January or in February, culminating on the “Purnima” or full moon day.

Camels rest on sand dunes, Thar
Camels rest on sand dunes, Thar

Festival Place: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan(amidst the sand dunes of the Thar in a place called Sam)

Festivals Dates: February 12-14, 2014

Duration: 13 Days

4. Shivaratri

Shivaratri or Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu fiesta that is held on the 13th or the 14th day of the Maagha or Phalguna month in the Hindu almanac each year which falls in the month of February end or March. According to the Hindu myths a hunter picked out bilva grass from a tree and kept throwing them down unknowingly on a Shiva lingam whole night.

shivaratri pashupati

Festival Place: Entire India

Festivals Dates: February 12-14, 2014

Duration: 1 day

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News Travel Tips

Best Backpacking Destinations in India

Backpacking is the cheapest form of traveling and is suitable for those who want to spend longer period in foreign countries in order to fulfill various purposes. For the first time visitors of India backpacking is really a challenging affair. So to avoid the pitfalls and the risks and to enjoy the most, travelers to India need to do thorough research and planning before venturing in the adventure.

As a bit of advice, many backpacking packages that prevail in India are inadequate and out of date. Some may even misguide you. So do not be ignorant of the country and do not entirely depend on the ready-made packages.

Backpacking Destination of South India

  • Hampi: The most spectacular relics of history providing you lots of mystery and a sense of awe and pleasure on seeing the beautiful architectural ruins of Sasivekalu ganeshatemple HampiVijayanagar Empire. The entire city, once the capital of popular Vijayanagar Empire, was now at ruins in Karnataka. It is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites.

 

  • Palolem:  One of the best beaches of Goa in India offers complete relaxation combined with life throbbing parties. This beach is in the shape of the crescent moon.  The villages nearby are the best places to stay and live a life in Indian style without any rush and hush of the city culture.
  • Munnar: The greenery and the scenery of Munnar in Kerala of India will dazzle
    Munnar Hill
    Munnar Hill

    any tourist making them wish to settle there permanently.  An ideal hill station for backpacking, it provides you the opportunity to discover and enjoy beauty as well as the nature in a pleasant manner. You can do fishing, go for walking, jogging, cycling, boating, para-gliding and simply sit and relax.

  • Mysore: This is a little charming city in Karnataka. The grand Mysore palace, the zoo, museum and ‘brindavan’ gardens are the attractions of this city. Though this place fits in the definition of a city, it lacks the tension and busy routine lifestyle of modern world.  Anyone who has lived in this city for sometime can understand what Mysore offers a person. Life here is a calm, relaxed one and to explain in a nutshell Mysore is a real village posing as a city.

Backpacking Destination of North India

  • Jaipur: This pink city of the Rajasthan desert is the gateway of Rajasthan. It is also the shopping Mecca of North India. This city is full with fantastic forts and the monkey palace is the main attraction. Jaipur is a colorful city depicting Indian culture in all its aspects. You can witness elephants, camels, gems and jewels.
  • Darjeeling: This darling hill station of Himalayas is also the perfect place for backpacking in India. The beauty at the foothills of Himalayas is stunning. This is the most popular hill station for all types of people especially for the honey moon couple. Lots of activities take place around Darjeeling.  You can enjoy the toy train; go for trekking, biking, rafting and just for walking. You can view Everest from here in its splendor.
  • Udaipur: Again a stunning city of Rajasthan offering complete cultural view of India, Udaipur has many attractions like forts, museums and palaces.  This is a beautiful city where both locals and foreigners visit every day.
  • Pushkar: This is the small town where the annual camel fair is very popular.
    Pushkar Lake
    Pushkar Lake

    This is actually an oasis town amidst the dry desert of Rajasthan. Schedule your stay during the popular camel fair so that you will not miss the friendliness and the Indian way of life.

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Travel Tips

All about money and cost in India

India is great for its budget traveling and sightseeing and is the most suitable for the middle class people.  Lastly, it can also accommodate the cheapest traveler and provide him the same satisfaction that the millionaires derive from India.

Value for the money in India

In general, Indians have the tendency to charge more for tourists than their local people. The standard expenditure is that a cup of tea can be bought for Rs. 5 in the streets and Rs.20 in the cafes. As far as the food is concerned, for Rs.60 to 100 you can get a nice good Indian meals and Rs. 50 to 10 is enough to get snacks on the streets. It is the best value for the money you spend in India.

Accommodation prices differ according to the season and the place you are going to stay. If you are ready to go a bit low then you can get a single room for Rs.100 and double room for Rs.200. These are called the budget hotels with communal shower and toilet. If you are lucky you can get a big and spacious room with all the facilities and in case you are not lucky enough then you may very well get the opposite for the same price. It may end up at any way and so travelers have to make a bit exploration and find a good one instead of adjusting with what they are offered initially.

Taxies and rickshaws demand a great portion of money from the foreign people. The trick is you have to inquire the normal prices and bargain for half the rate. After a hard bargain you can go for a 15 minutes rickshaw ride for Rs.60. The rule is that you must bargain and agree a price before you engage the services. Then only you have the chances of escaping from the greedy taxi and rickshaw drivers.

The public mode of transport is the best mode and is the cheapest mode to travel in India.

The total budget for a trip to India

It is very difficult to arrive at the exact calculations however a rough estimate can be made to have an idea. To lead life in India in the cheapest manner you need $70 per week. A budget between $100 and $200 for a week will grant you the nice accommodation with nice restaurants and nice transport facilities. Between $300 and $500 is great for the best things possible in a travel and stay in India.

Bartering in India

It is a very common thing in India except in bars and restaurants. Ask for the half of the price they offered you. As a general rule foreigners must not expect to get the same price as locals but however do not spend more than its worth..

Money exchange inWestern Union

Money exchange is easy and very conveniently done in India. Of course, when you go for the remote corners, small villages and mountain tops do not forget to have sufficient amount with you by doing a little bit of pre-planning. Beware of the middle men who may try to cheat you in exchanging money.

ATMs of India

Nowadays ATM machines are found everywhere in India. In addition, travelers’ cheques are the safest to travel in India.  However do not entirely depend on them. Have some cash also so that it will be handy where they do not accept cheques.

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India Tourist Attractions Travel Tips

How to explore varanasi path to reach God with prayers and rituals

Varanasi being the oldest city of India and world’s oldest populated city is also known as Kashi and Benares.  This city is considered as one of the most popular pilgrimage places of the Hindus filled with lots of beliefs and ritual prayers.  The Hindu pilgrims believe that Holy River Ganges, the purified water, cleans the souls of sinners. They believe that this place is the heavenly place to attain ‘moksha’ which means no cycle of rebirth.

On the Ghats of the river Ganges, many people who are in their death beds are awaiting for their death as they want their cremation to be done on the river banks.  The belief in this is that they will not again take a new birth after their death and their soul will reach directly the feet of the God.

Varanasi city map

The old city of Varanasi is a stretch away from the River Ganges.  Though the old city is the most populated one, the interesting part of the city is the Dasaswamedh Ghat.  This Ghat is the busiest and the centre of all ghats among the 100 other ghats on the banks of river Ganges.

Transport facilities to reach Varanasi

Airport-Varanasi

You can reach the Dasaswamedh Ghat, the old city which is on the west side of the Varanasi railway station or Varanasi Cantonment by catching a auto rickshaw outside the station.  The bus terminal is also very close to the old city.  The distance between the old city and the airport is 16 miles.

Places to visit and rituals to follow in Varanasi

Kashi Vishwanth Temple

The holiest temple of India is the Kashi Vishwanth Temple of Varanasi which is also known as the Golden Temple.  Lord Shiva is the main god of this place who is known by the name Kashi Viswanath.  The Durga temple, the temple of Goddess Durga is also another famous temple of the city.  Due to the increasing number of monkeys found hanging in this temple, it is also known as the Monkey Temple.  An auto rickshaw ride of about 8 miles from Varanasi is the Sarnath where a stupa is found.  This is the place where Lord Buddha gave his religious preaching to his followers in the Deer park.

To get an amazing view of the ghats and the temples ride on a boat and go around on the river Ganges during the time of sunrise.  The live showcase of the cremation will be seen on the ghats of ‘Manikarnika’ with more rituals.  It is the place of cremation and ashes were found in that place.  The Kedar ghat is the place for taking bath.

During the evening hours, a holy prayer will be held in the Dasaswamedh Ghat with more bangs and sounds.  A ceremony of prayers, chanting, bell ringing, banging of drums will go on.  More lights through lamps and camphor lighting rituals are shown to the River Ganges as a part of performing ‘Puja’ or ‘prayer’ to Holy River Ganges.

The place to stay in Varanasi

Lahurabir house Varanasi

You can rent a Ganpati guest house or Shiva Kashi guest house where you can have a view of the river Ganges.  Towards the north of the Varanasi railway station, you can find some international hotels to stay.  Lahurabir is also the place close to the railway station with budgeted hotels and three star hotels.

Visit Varanasi at least once in your life time to enjoy the soul stirring holy prayers and rituals.

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Travel Tips

Beware of the irritants and inconveniences of India

India is a great country which must be visited at least once in your lifetime. It has its own beauty and people living in this country have unique characteristics that make them the most charming personalities of the earth. Though India has plenty of plus points and great things to relish and to recommend to this world, it has its minus points too and it is very much necessary for the foreign people who travel to India must be aware of them so that they can be cautious and enjoy their trip.

Travel tips

Theft: Though India is not a violent country and there is no need to afraid of too serious crimes, there are lots of small irritants that any foreigner has to overcome them. Thefts are the most common things in India. Thieves will be lurking in every corner and whenever the tourist is not vigilant, they are ready to take away anything they can make away with. If you are careful then there is no need to worry against losing your things. Following are some tips to avoid thefts in India

  • In the busy places, make sure your bag is properly locked and while sitting have them attached with your body. Do not place them near you without touching them. This will avoid the snatchers or grabbers.
  • Do not leave your things alone anywhere. In case you need to part them, entrust them with someone you can trust.
  • While traveling on public transports like buses or trains, keep the bag attached with the bicycle chain very close by so that it cannot be taken away when you doze off.
  • Usage of money belts will keep you safe in the foreign place. Keeping things in your pocket is also not recommended since there are so many talented thieves who can rip off the pockets and its contents while you sleep.
  • Wherever you stay, replace the locks with your own or use extra padlocks of your own to the doors and cup boards. Close all windows securely before you leave the room.
  • Always be aware of your surroundings and be cautious against the pick pockets.
  • Expensive watches and cameras are sure things that will get disappear somehow. So it is better not to wear those things. Instead wear cheaper items so that you need not worry on the loss.
  • Staring eyes: This is something you have to bear with. Learn to be patient and try not to get angry towards the innocent people who stare you as if you are at an alien or a thing kept at museum.
  • Helping tendency: Beware of the Indian tendency that when you ask them something like directions or some clarifications, they will never say ‘NO’ to you even if they do not know the answer. Their behavior will greatly irritate you.
  • Crowd behavior: This is the funniest thing in India. In the railway stations there will be more than thousand people trying to get tickets all at the same time. Lining up or standing in queues, though they know it, is not for the Indians. Be prepared to get pushed, squeezed and to come out of shape. Then only you can get a ticket. Do not hesitate to behave in rough manner or speak out or quarrel like little children. Indians do not have hard feelings in this matter. Instead after a rough and tough conversation, you may end up with good relationship or an invitation to their house.
  • Time sense:  Indians have no time sense at all. Getting late hours together is very common. Most of the shops in South India close for lunch and they do not bother to open up again promptly. They will say you just 10 minutes but it will take many long hours.

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