25th Surajkund Crafts Mela 2011 - A Kaleidoscope of Indian Handicrafts, Handlooms and Folk Traditions

The Surajkund Crafts is an annual event that highlight some of the finest handloom and handicraft traditions of the country.

From 1st to 15th February rural India basks in the warmth of admiration at Surajkund mela village that lies some 8 km from South Delhi.
The Mela also celebrates the rhythms of folk theatre- and a theme State that makes each visitor marvel.

Surajkund becomes alive with the rhythm and beats of folk dances and riot of colors.

Uzbekistan is the Partner Country of 25th Surajkund Crafts Mela 2011. It is one of the six independent Turkic states. It is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, formerly part of the Soviet Union.

Andhra Pradesh- The magic of vibrant Andhra Pradesh is the theme state for this year Mela.

Surajkund is the annual fair that showcases the finest handlooms, handicrafts, authentic fragrances & flavours of rich Indian cuisines. As winter turns briefly into spring, a caravan of more than 400 National and State awardee craftpersons from every corner of India wind their way to Surajkund. The craftpersons from SAARC Nations are also participating in the Surajkund Crafts Mela. At Surajkund Mela, the artisans' delicate hands create the most beautiful pieces which have fascinated many through ages !

25th Surajkund Crafts Mela offers a lot of Fun, Frolic,Entertainment and exclusive shopping. In the rural ambience, more than 400 craftperson will display and Demonstrate their finest crafts work that is set to capture your hearts. The authentic fragrances & flavours of rich Indian cuisines will kindle your taste buds. Tap your feet with the beats of enthralling folk dancers from the various parts of the country.

A fair to cherish and remember..... forever.

Mughal Gardens open to public from Saturday

The Mughal Gardens will be opened for public from February 13 to March 11.

The splendour of colourful pansies and fragrant roses notwithstanding, the cacti corner and the bonsai segment at the sprawling Mughal Gardens in the Rashtrapati Bhavan here occupy the place of pride this year.

The Gardens, which will be thrown open to the public beginning Saturday, will have cacti in different sizes and colours, apart from exquisitely crafted bonsai plants. In the main Garden, visitors can see roses, lilies, tulips and pansies in full bloom.

“This year, the special attraction will be the cacti corner and the bonsai segment which will add to the beauty of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Visitors, while walking in the gardens, will be able to experience how green surroundings and water bodies can add to an eco-friendly environment by attracting fauna,” said a Rashtrapati Bhavan official.

The Gardens, contiguous to the main Rashtrapati Bhavan building, cover an area of 15 acres. Designed by Edwin Lutyens and inspired by the Mughal Gardens of Jammu and Kashmir, the garden around the Taj Mahal and Persian and Indian miniature paintings, it has three parts — the first is the rectangular garden adjacent to the main Rashtrapati Bhavan building, divided into four quarters, each with terraced gardens on either side.

“The rectangular garden has several winter seasonal bulbous and flowering beds, with a prominence of a variety of roses in full bloom. They include Adora, Mrinalini, Taj Mahal, Modern Art, Oklahoma, John F. Kennedy, Virgo, Mr. Lincoln and Folklore. In addition, dahlias, tulips, Asiatic lilies, daffodils, hyacinth and other seasonal flowers suitably incorporated add beauty to central garden,” the official said.

A view of Ring Garden at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Following the central park, the long garden also has roses like Christian Dior, Queen Elizabeth, Iceberg, Pasadena, Montezuma, Summer Snow, First Prize and Century Two on display.

The circular garden at the western edge is lined with various flowers including violas and dahlias, phlox, poppy and larkspur. “Winter flowers like calendula, antirrhinum, alyssum, dimorphotheca, larkspur, gerbera, brachycome, verbena, viola, and pansy grow well here.”

The biodiversity park, with deer, ducks, turkeys, guinea fowls, turtles, parakeets, rabbits and migratory birds, is an added attraction. “This park is also full of peacocks. Important medicinal and aromatic plants, depicting their uses, can be seen in the educational-cum-conservation herbal garden. The bio-diesel producing plant jatropha, stevia [which provides safe sugar for diabetics], isabgol [plantago], damask rose, ashwagandha, brahmi, mints, tulsi, geranium and 33 other types of herbs can be seen in the herbal garden.”

The gardens will be open for public viewing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days except Mondays until March 11.

tour to India

India is one of the most famous tourism destinations in the world. It is a favorite tourism destination for many tourists through out the entire globe. There is wide range of tourism options available in the deserving county of India. Cultural tourism, heritage tourism, wildlife tourism, adventure tourism, hill station tourism, eco tourism, desert tourism, pilgrimage tourism, beach tourism, nature tourism, backwater tourism, medical tourism, monsoon tourism, etc are prime elements of India tourism. Tourism in India is praiseworthy and it never fails to lure tourists with its awestruck charm.

For those tourists, who have desire to enjoy rich cultural heritage tourism, Rajasthan and Delhi can be very appealing to them. Both are very popular among tourists, vacationers and travellers from all over the world. Delhi (New Delhi) is one of the most famous tourism destinations of the country. It is globally known for its rich culture and traditions perfectly mingling with modernity. A well-organized city tour of Delhi gives tourists brilliant opportunity to explore some of famous heritage monuments of India with several other attractions. Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, Qutub Minar, Old Fort, Lotus Temple, Birla Temple, Akshardham Temple, Mughal Garden, President House, Parliament House, etc are prime attractions of Delhi tours. Delhi is also served as base destination to visit some of famous north Indian travel destinations like Rajasthan, Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Agra, etc. In fact, a visit to India is a window to India visit.

Rajasthan is one of the most charming and captivating states of India offering tourists amazing charm of cultural and heritage tourism. Magnificent forts & palaces, frescoed havelis, terrific temples, colorful fairs & festivals, deserts, rippling sand dunes, wildlife parks & sanctuaries, etc are prime attractions of Rajasthan travel and tourism. Amber Fort & Palace, Lake Palace, City Palace, Mehrangarh Fort, Golden Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Hawa Mahal, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Ranthambhore National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, etc are must visit attractions of Rajasthan travel and tourism. Rajasthan tourism also provides tourists brilliant opportunity to embark on wildly popular golden triangle tours. Golden triangle is one of the most famous travel circuits in north India. It covers three major and historic destinations of north India ? Delhi, Jaipur (the capital of Rajasthan) and Agra (the home to Taj Mahal).

For tourists who want to explore rich flora and fauna on their India visit, there are several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the country. Ranthambhore National Park, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Gir National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Periyar National Park, etc are worth exploring destinations for wildlife tourism in India. Exploring famous wildlife parks and sanctuaries of the country gives tourists amazing and delightful experience of tourism to cherish for lifetime.

Shimla, Darjeeling, Manali, Kasauli, Ooty, Munnar, Ponmudi, Kodaikanal, Kashmir, etc are famous destinations for hill stations tourism and nature tourism. For beach tourism, Kerala and Goa are perfect destinations in the country. Kerala is also famous for backwater tourism. A well organized houseboat cruise over scenic & serene backwaters of Kerala is truly an amazing experience. The charming state of Kerala is also a well known destination for monsoon tourism. Monsoon tourism in Kerala is very popular among honeymoon couples.

Agra is very famous travel destination of India. It is the home of world heritage monument Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is one of the seventh wonders of the county. It is India?s star attractions. A visit to Agar also gives tourists opportunity to visit other famous attractions like Agra Red Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Buland Darwaza, Itmad-Ud-Daullah, etc.

There are several India tours packages available in the market. Choose one of the and get ready to experience mesmeric charm of India tourism.

What will you do if you only had one day in New Delhi?

The air was humid, the crowd moved from every direction and the vehicles fought for their place on the road, inching closer to each other.

Welcome to New Delhi, the gateway to incredible India.

You may have watched enough Bollywood films to get a hint of what to expect in an Indian city but movies tend to gloss over everyday realities. The capital of India was a challenge—from negotiating a taxi fare to bargaining for souvenirs. Despite the presence of metres in taxis called auto rickshaws, drivers always preferred negotiation, which can last forever until you strike a fair deal.

The best way is to walk out if you are not satisfied with the amount the driver has quoted and wait for him to go after you.

So what is it with India that intrigues every visitor? It may be the stories of snake charmers or holy men. But any Indian will tell you that they have one of the best monuments in the world. In New Delhi alone, there are more than a hundred monuments. A day is not enough to cover these considering how big the city is.

But if you have only a day to spare, then these monuments and sites should not be missed:

Qutub Minar

Built in 1192, it laid the foundations of the Delhi Sultanate after Mohammed Ghori defeated the Rajputs, which heralded a new dynasty—Slave Dynasty. It is also considered the oldest monument in Delhi and the highest stone tower in India.

The famous Iron Pillar, which has stood for 2,000 years without rusting, is also located within the complex of Qutub Minar.

The pillar was erected between the 4th and 5th century AD as a flagpole of a Vishnu temple. It is also believed that hugging the pillar will make one’s wishes come true.

The monument’s ethereal carvings, intricate designs and uniqueness make it worth to stay a minimum of one hour.

India Gate

Originally called the All India War Memorial, it was built in 1931 in memory of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I. The names of the soldiers are inscribed on the walls of the arc of the gate. It is best to go at night as it is cooler and the gate is brightly lit along with fountains around it.

Rashtrapati Bhavan

The house of the president of India boasts of having welcomed the most powerful people in history. Up to this day, all important Indian state ceremonies are held here.

Built in 1931, this was meant as the nerve centre of the British power in Delhi. Standing on a 4.5-acre land, it has 340 rooms, 37 salons, 74 lobbies, 18 staircases and 37 fountains. The change of guard ceremonies are being held here as well.

Lodi Gardens

The 15th century gardens are famous among locals who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital. The charm of the gardens lies in the carefully manicured lawns and the medieval monuments, including Muhammad Shah’s and Sikander Lodi’s tombs. Muhammad Shah (1434 – 44) was the third ruler of the Sayyid Dynasty.

Another interesting structure in the gardens is the Athpula bridge, meaning eight bridge, as it rests on eight piers, forming seven arches.
Different bird species also make Lodi Gardens their permanent home.

Habitat Centre

It is not exactly a monument but it is still worth a visit as it is just a cool 10-minute walk from the Lodi Gardens.

The Habitat Centre regularly hosts art exhibits and performances important to feed the soul of the artist in us. It promotes cultural exchanges, environmental issues, among others. If you’re tired from eating South Asian food, it has a ‘70s style American diner that offers affordable and enticing menu.

Janpath Market

It’s one of the famous bargain-hunting places in Delhi where you can get a 200-rupee (US$4) table cover or shawl. Like any other markets in the world, bargaining is a must here. Never settle for the first price because the best deal is half the price. Even locals go to Janpath to buy silverware, kurta (Indian clothing, usually long-sleeved), joti (handcrafted Indian shoes) and accessories.

Connaught Place

It is one of the busiest and largest commercial areas of Delhi. Despite housing modern, high-end brands, CP has maintained its British colonial look. Walking around (literally because it is circular), this Victorian architecture building is much better than getting stuck in a modern mall devoid of culture.

Dilli Haat

Haat means informal weekend bazaar but Dili Haat, which showcases rural products, is the upgraded and sophisticated version to make shopping more hassle-free.

For a 15-rupee (31 US cents) entrance fee, you get to appreciate Indian crafts and buy them at reasonable prices. It also has several food stalls that offer a variety of Indian cuisine. A snack of momo (Tibetan dumpling) with hot milk tea at Momo Mia is guaranteed to energise your tired body.

With the help of a Delhi-based friend whose negotiating skills were par excellence, I managed to go to all these places and still had plenty of time to buy Bollywood DVDs, eat Kashmiri dinner and appreciate Delhi in slow motion.

Top seven places to visit in India

India is a mix of cultures, traditions, languages and this is what gives a unique picture to the country. Rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan, the enchanting backwaters of Kerala and the beauty of the Himalayas make India a worthy tourist destination..

INDIA IS a vast country and there are several places of tourist interests that can be explored for a delightful and enchanting experience. Travel and tourism in the country provides a delightful experience with a superb blend of culture, tradition, spirituality, natural beauty and modernisation.

In fact, the county is the land of amazing diversity and its diversity can be observed in all its realms. There are several enchanting travel destination in the country like Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, Mumbai, Golden Triangle, Taj Mahal (Agra), Delhi, Himalayan Region, Kashmir, Backwaters, Wildlife, etc. Exploring these globally acclaimed destinations of the country provides delightful experience of India tourism. Below is information about seven topmost travel destinations of the country. Often tourists plan to visit these destinations in India.

Taj Mahal: India’s star attraction

Taj Mahal is considered as one of the seven wonders of the world. It is located on the banks of River Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Built in white marble, it is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world. It is the symbol of eternal love. This beautiful monument of love was built by great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the loving memory of his beloved wife Rani Mumtaz Mahal after her death. It is one of the must visit attractions of the country. Every year, a large gathering of tourists visit this exquisite love monument and do not forget to praise its architecture, beauty and of course to imagine the beauty of Mumtaz Mahal. Worth visiting!

Rajasthan: The land of forts and kings

Rajasthan is a widely acclaimed travel destination of India. It has a wide range of tourist options like heritage tourism, cultural tourism, wildlife tourism, camel safari of rippling sand dunes, etc. There are several magnificent forts and palaces in this state, showing the glorious past of its erstwhile rulers and kings. Some of forts and palaces of the state have now been converted into heritage hotels offering world class accommodation with luxury and unique Indian hospitality. Staying a few days at Rajasthan palace hotels is truly a delightful experience.

Kerala: God’s own country

Kerala is one of the most beautiful states of India. It is globally famous travel destination blessed with exceptional natural beauty. Beautiful beaches, breathtaking backwaters, luxurious houseboats, beautiful temples, verdant hill stations, beautiful landscapes, rich culture and tradition, exotic cuisine, etc are prime attractions of Kerala. Definitely exploring Kerala is an ecstatic experience.

Himalayan regions

Himalayan regions are very popular amongst tourists who like to enjoy adventure and sports, explore the beautiful landscapes, explore rich flora and fauna, and explore pilgrimage centres. This region covers the states of Kashmir (the paradise on the earth), Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Exploring the Himalayan region Kashmir provides one of the best Indian tour experiences. Himalayan regions also provide opportunity to indulge in thrilling adventure and sports. Also you can visit several religious and pilgrimage sites like Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu, Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh and several ancient temples in Kullu and Manali. These religious spots are very popular destinations for India pilgrimage tour.

Goa: The land of sun, sand and surf
Goa is the smallest state of India but is extremely popular destination for international tourists. Beaches, Churches, culture, etc are prime attractions of Goa tours.

Khajuraho: The city of exotic temples

Khajuraho is a well-known travel destination of India. It is widely acclaimed for its beautiful architectural temples of love. You can see several beautifully engraved sculptures on the walls of the temples. The perfect balance between architecture and sculpture surely enchants you.

New Delhi: The capital of India

New Delhi, the capital of India is one of the major tourist destinations of the country. There are numerous attractions in this historic city like Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Rajghat, Birla Temple, ISKON temple, President’s House, Old Fort and many more.