Let's Go India Tours

Friday, 8 April 2016

CULTURE OF AGRA

People

People of Agra are warm, calm, and very cooperative. This majestic city is a home of diversified people from different beliefs. The residents of Agra have adopted a contemporary style of dressing and lifestyle. The men wear trousers and shirts and women wear traditional wears.

Language & Religion

Agra is enriched with different cultural and traditional values. The most prominent religions practiced in Agra are Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and Buddhism. And some of the castes in Agra are the Jatavs, Baniyas and Jats. The most widely spoken languages in Agra are Hindi and Urdu, and Punjabi is also spoken.

Local Festivals & Art and music

A variety of colourful festivals are celebrated in this cultural city. Taj Mahotsav held in Shilpgram is a ten-day long festival that hosts an exhibition of crafts, arts, classical song and dance performances. The Islamic festival Id is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in the city.

Food

Once being a home of the Mughals, the city is widely famous for the Mughal cuisines like Kebabs, Kormas and curries that involve curd, cream, nuts, almond and selected spices. The most popular food item of Agra, apart from the famous Mughlai dishes, is the Pethas made from pumpkin and glucose and is popular all over India. Dal moth is a kind of snack and also one of the specialties of the city.
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Thursday, 7 April 2016

Baneshhwar Fair

Baneshhwar Fair

The term "Baneshwar" meaning the master of the delta in the local Vagdi language, is derived from the reverenced Shiva Linga which is enshrined in the Mahadev temple in Dungarpur of Rajasthan.The Baneshwar fair is the tribal fair that is held at the delta formed by the river Som and Mahi during the month of Shivratri( January -February) from Magh Shukla Ekadashi to Magh Shukla Poornima.

In the past, two fairs were held at the same venue. One fair was held in order to venerate Lord Shiva- Baneshwar Mahadev and the other fair was held after the Vishnu temple was constructed by Jankunwari, daughter-in-law of Mavji( a saint who was considered to be an incarnation of Vishnu). At presence the Baneshwar fair is observed by merging the both.

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Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Mewar Festival, Udaipur

Mewar Festival, Udaipur

Mewar festival is observed to welcome the arrival of spring season with all zest and dedication in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The spirit of the festival can be seen throughout the state of Rajasthan, since Udaipur has been always the governing place of the Mewar rulers, you will find its exact flavor in the city of Udaipur. Mewar Festival of Udaipur is a major festival of Rajasthan and is famous all over India for its liveliness.

During the days of festival, the whole city of Udaipur gets drenched in colors of festivity. Local markets and shops beautify their frontage with bright lights and decorations. Coinciding with the Gangaur festival, Mewar festival is equally significant for the womenfolk of Rajasthan. The festival is especially meant for women and offers the best time when they dress in their finest clothes and join the celebrations of the fest.

To conduct the ceremony, women assemble to dress the images of Isar (Lord Shiva) and Gangaur (Goddess Parvati). After dressing the idols, they carry them in a traditional procession passing through different parts of the city. In the last, the procession makes its move towards the Gangaur Ghat at Pichola Lake. At this point, the images are transported into special boats and immersed in the deep waters of the lake.

When this religious part gets over, people engage into various dances, songs and other cultural events revealing the culture of Rajasthan. Mewar festival is concluded with a glittering show of fireworks. Mewar festival spreads a feel of gusto and fervor all over Rajasthan and people enjoy this festival to its full. This bright and colorful festival attracts tourists from all over to join its charming ceremony of tradition.
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Gangaur Festival, Jaipur

Gangaur Festival, Jaipur

Gangaur is one of the most significant festivals for women of Rajasthan and is celebrated for eighteen long days. The festival is held in honour of goddess Gauri, who is believed to be the goddess of marital happiness. This festival is celebrated all over Rajasthan by both married and unmarried ladies. The goddess Gauri images are beautifully ornamented and decorated and offerings are made to please her and in turn get blessed with good husbands and health, wealth and long life for their husbands. There is a huge procession taken out of goddess by the ladies of Rajasthan dressed brightly in beautiful attires and sing songs of departure of Gauri to her husband's house.

Gangaur is one of the most vivid festivals rejoiced with great enthusiasm and happiness all over the Indian state of Rajasthan. In the word Gangaur, 'Gan' is the synonym for Lord Shiva whereas 'Gaur' stands for Gauri or Goddess Parvati. But mainly, this festival is held in the honour of Goddess Parvati as she is regarded as the epitome of marital love, strength, courage, power and excellence. During the festivities, married women worship Goddess Parvati for the long life, well being and wealth of their husbands while the girls pray for getting a smart and an understanding life partner. The festival is rejoiced in the month of Chaitra, the first month of the Hindu calendar and falls in between March and April, according to Gregorian calendar. It begins on the very first day Chaitra month, the day after Holi and is celebrated for 18 days. Also, it marks the end of winter season and the coming of spring season.

Women and girls observe fast during this festive time and eat only once in a day. Images of Gauri and Isar (Lord Shiva) are made with the clay and decorated very beautifully. On the other hand, in some of the Rajput families, images are made of wood every year before the festival they are painted by the famous painters who are called as 'Matherans'. The images which are made during this time do not have canopies. Women and girls, during the festival, wear new dresses, adorn themselves with jewellery and make designs on their palms and feet by applying mehandi (henna). On the 7th day evening girls carry 'ghudilas', which are earthen pots with many holes inside which a lamp is lit, on their heads. They sing songs of Gangaur and are given gifts in the form of money, ghee, sweets, jaggery, etc. by the elders of the family as a token of love.

This ritual goes on for 10 days and on the last day women and girls break the pots and throw the broken pieces into a well or a tank; the clay idols made by the married women are also immersed in water on the last day of the festival. A grand procession is held which starts from the Zanani-Deodhi of the City Palace which then goes through Tripolia Bazaar, Chhoti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, Chaugan Stadium and finally converges near the Talkatora. This procession is headed by a colourful show of elephants, old palanquins, chariots, bullock carts and performance folk artistes. People irrespective of their caste and creed come to observe and to be a part of the procession.
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Monday, 4 April 2016

Desert Festival, Jaisalmer

During the winters, an annual event organized in the Golden City of Rajasthan – Jaisalmer makes the desert come alive with bright and vibrant colours. This three days festival held every year in the month of February showcases the rich Rajasthani folk culture. The entire city of Jaisalmer is bustling with colours, music and dance, Rajasthani men and women dressed beautifully in hued costumes sing and dance on the haunting ballads of valour, romance and tragedy.

The Desert Festival is a great extravaganza with various competitions and contest happening such as turban tying competition, longest moustaches competition, entertaining puppet shows, folk dance competition and renowned musicians participate in various folk musical recitals. Camels also are one of the main highlight of this event as they take part in camel polo, camel dance and some other contests. This joyful festival of traditional Rajasthani culture and performing art and craft comes to an end with a captivating sound and light show amidst the sand dunes on a moonlit night.
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Sunday, 3 April 2016

Camel Festival , Bikaner

Camel Fair, Bikaner is a sought after event in Rajasthan. Organized by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, Bikaner Camel Festival is a yearly event in January that Bikaner celebrates in honor of the ship of the desert, Camel. The festivities are at par with the other celebrations of Rajasthan. The event mainly includes spectacular camel performances like camel dances, camel races, neck shaking camel rides etc.

History of Bikaner Camel Festival
This yearly event is dedicated to the tough animals surviving the harsh desert conditions. The festival was organized as an initiative by the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture of the Rajasthan Government. Camels and the Bikaner have a long association. Since the era of the founder of the city Rao Bika Ji, Bikaner is the only camel breeding region. The gentle beasts raised here have been enrolled even in the army. The camel corps are known as “Ganga Risala” and have served in the world wars and Indo-Pak wars. Indian army still maintains a regiment where these brave animals loyally service in the Border Security Force.

Celebration of Camel Fair in Bikaner
The Camel Festival in Bikaner is a two day affair. The festivities starts off with a colorful parade of beautifully adorned camels against the backdrop of majestic Junagarh Fort. Enjoy the spectacular displays of camels dressed in vibrant bridles, traditional necklace and heavy anklets showing off wonderful footwork to the lovely tunes on desert sands. Also witness the array of camel race events, camel games and other cultural performances. Hundreds and thousands of tourists and locals revel in this traditional festival. Feel absolute pleasure in the delightful ambiance.

Though the festival is exclusively organized to glorify the camels, the traditional Rajasthani folk dance performances and music add largely to the charm of this festival. The fascinating Fire Dance adds glamour to the festivities. The ambiance of the fair inspires fire dancers to perform brilliant acts. Their skills and the shows are nothing short of spectacular. The melodies of folk music is a soothing sensation that world its charm mesmerizing all those whole hear it. The puppet shows are also amazing. The colorful attired puppet dolls narrate intriguing local folklores. The festival concludes with a spectacular firework display which illuminates the skies of Bikaner.

The Bikaner Camel Fair gives you an opportunity to indulge into the unique camel milk sweetmeats and camel milk tea. The local Rajasthani dishes appetizes all the food lovers. Check out the stalls in the markets which offer exquisite handicrafts, jewelry, pottery and rare delights.

Bikaner Camel Festival Tickets
Bikaner Camel Festival is open to the public and anyone can come and be a part of this colourful celebration.

Tips for Camel Festival in Bikaner
The month of January could get really chilly in Bikaner especially late in the evenings till early morning. It is advisable that pack enough warm clothings. Carry sun screen lotions as well to protect your skin from sun during day time. When in Bikaner, one of the top things to do is to visit Junagadh Fort which forms the backdrop of the Camel Fair in Bikaner. Know more about things to do in Bikaner here.
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Saturday, 2 April 2016

Kite Festival, Jaipur

Kite Festival, Jaipur

Jaipur is the land of fairs and festivals. Always dipped in the colours of festival, this place enchants anyone who experiences the glory of fests. Festival of every religion is celebrated with same zeal and gusto. Each festival has its importance, be it welcoming a season, bidding adieu to a season, wishing long life and good health of the spouse, praise the Lord, worship trees and animals in the form of God. These festivals are integral part of the lives of people of Jaipur. One can not only feel the liveliness of people during these festivals, but can even get a wide exposure of culture of Rajasthan. These fairs and festival offer you with a holistic view of the heritage and art of Rajasthan. A prominent one out of the festivals of Rajasthan is the Kite Festival. Certainly, it's a festival that is unique in its own way. The colourful kites hovering over whole of Rajasthan brighten up the skies. This festival is largely celebrated in Jaipur and Jodhpur. The kites-with-lights flown add to the fancy of the festival. If you like kite flying, this is the festival for you. How about visiting Jaipur during this festival? Know more about this festival before you catch up with the delight of this festival in Jaipur.

Significance
Kite festival of Jaipur is observed on the day of Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan. Celebrated on 14th of January to mark the transition of the sun from dhanu rashi (Sagittarius) to makara rashi (Capricorn), the day is considered auspicious. It is said that Uttarayan or northward journey of the sun begins on the day of Makar Sankranti.

Rituals And Celebrations
The people of Jaipur, on this day take a holy dip in Galtaji, an important pilgrimage in Jaipur. They pray to sun god to bless them with good health, wealth and good crop. On this occasion, the pink city turns all colourful with the beautiful kites in the sky. Makar Sankranti is a government holiday in Jaipur, and it undoubtedly increases the pleasure of the festivities. Shopkeepers keep their shops shut, banks remain closed and everybody gets engrossed in kite flying on this day. Various kite flying competitions are also organised by numerous Kite Clubs in the month of January. State government even organises "International Kite Festival" in Jaipur for a stretch of three days wherein kite lovers from all over the world come and participate.

Food
The people of Jaipur celebrate this festival of Makar Sankranti with various sugary delights made of sesame seeds i.e. Til Ke Laddu, Gajak (famous Jaipur's Sesame Brittle), and Feeni (famous Jaipur sweet made of fibres).

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