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Ho Ho Ho… the holiday season of Christmas is here… when bells chime, candles illuminate, stars glitter and smiles spread sunshine around the world.

Christmas-Bells

An auspicious festival for Christians, Christmas is the most awaited celebration commemorating the birth and life of Lord Jesus Christ. On this occasion, ardent followers gather at the churches in the morning for the ‘church service’, popularly known as mass, for Christ.

Nominally denoting a holiday season, Christmas is observed in various innovative ways apart from following traditional practices that includes: preparation of cakes, roasting of bacons, relishing Christmas feast, exchanging gifts, offering prayers and rejoicing times of togetherness with family. Following the century’s old authentic customs and beliefs, this year Christmas will be observed on Sunday, the 25th December.
Merriment of the season brings goodness to the entire universe. For many people, this festival is truly a magical season as they can enjoy the happy times with family & friends. Christmas has a very special importance and craze among children who believe that a white bearded Santa Claus will come and drop the fancy gifts, mostly what they crave for all year long. This nurtures the faith in them that wishes come true.

Santa-claus

The most awaited part of the festival is the Midnight Mass at 12 AM on the Christmas Eve symbolizing the birth of Jesus in this world. Once the mass is over, the echoes of Merry Christmas and hugs find their way to celebrate the occasion of Christmas.

Termed as the Big Day of the year in India, the spirit of the day too remains big-hearted. People share their happiness with their world and multiply joys of laughter.

Christmas gets a new high in places like Goa with an enticing mix of peace and wild through elegant churches and vibrant night life. Walking on the alluring Goa luxury beaches, glowing sun and golden sands constitute as a perfect blessing from the almighty himself.

Merry Christmas

This hibernating break is the best time to rejuvenate, relax and make a perfect beginning for a new year. India is calling you this Christmas, come and experience the rollicking fiesta during winter vacations. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Delhi Tour packages

Delhi is the symbol of old India and new… Even the stones here whisper to our ears of the ages of long ago and the air we breathe is full of the dust and fragrances of the past, as also of the fresh and piercing winds of the present. – Jawaharlal Nehru

This quote by the first prime minister of India sums up a lot about Delhi Tour packages. One of the oldest inhabited cities of the world is also a cosmopolitan metro. Famous for its narrow alleys and well constructed sky scrapers; the city is a potpourri of many cultures and dynasties. In fact, we can say that the city typifies the soul of India.

Tucked inside Delhi’s modern suburbs, metro, highways and shopping hubs lie monuments, temples and ruins that date back centuries. Showcasing historical treasures including the representative of Indian democracy – Parliament House, President House, India Gate, Red Fort, the city also hosts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites namely Jantar Mantar, Qutab Complex and Humayun Tomb.

The city’s unique identity is much more than its wide, tree-lined boulevards, educational institutions, museums and landmarks. More than the entry point of India, being in Delhi is an experience for the senses which experienced in a different way through an excursion towards the below mentioned places.

The capital city of India is known for various flavours as well. The food capital of India, Delhi can satiate anyone’s appetite for authentic Indian Cuisines.

Mouthwatering chaats (street food), Chole Bhature, mithais (sweets), and stuffed parathas can be relished at Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. The world famous Butter Chicken can be tasted at its place of origins – Moti Mahal in Delhi. If one wants to savour the south Indian food, then Andhra Bhavan at Ashok Road is the best place. Not just this, the city offers numerous world class restro bars and food joints for the connoisseurs of global taste. Above all, the city is a gastronomic delight.

Luxury Tour Packages

For shoppoholics, Delhi is a colourful fiesta offering crafts, handlooms, embroideries in many places. Delhi Haat at INA Market and Pitam Pura showcases best of Indian craftsmanship from different states. One can savour the delightful cuisines and purchase traditional bandhnis, bangles, ethnic earrings, jewelleries and a lot more there. And don’t forget to get your portrait sketched there.

To experience more than this, just log on to Luxury Tour Packages and go for the Golden Triangle Tour to Delhi along with the heritage cities of Agra and Jaipur.

Diageo

Ahead to the World Cup 2011 win, India is all set to carve a new high for itself in the same year by hosting the thrilling mania of inaugural Formula One Grand Prix. Extending the celebratory times, the racing event is a treat for all racing enthusiasts in India. An indelible Indian mark on the international racing map, the event is ready to charm and captivate everyone with the best riders riding speed cars on Indian Road.

During the event, the eyes of the whole world will be glued on to the most advanced and technically one of the best racing circuits in the world – Buddha International Circuit in Delhi-NCR.

To be held this Sunday, October 30th, 2011; the race is a subject to talk about. Be it Facebook, twitter, radio, news channels or celebrities, F1 is word of the season. To fuel up this ardent racing passion, Indira Gandhi International Airport along with the brand promoters is showcasing the race tracks and three F1 cars from the Sahara Force India, Ferrari and McLaren Mercedes teams.

UB F1

The passion has sped up, the enigma has wrapped the entire nation and the deadly pace has made the world swoon over the world class tracks. To pump up the excitement, various Grand Prix events are happening nowadays, making it a rage.

So, let’s be a part of this gala racing event and witness this history in the making in Luxury Tours to India.

The five day festive extravaganza of Diwali in India begins with the onset of Dhanteras celebrations. Derived from Hindi variants ‘dhan’ meaning wealth and ‘teras’ marking the Hindi date, thirteenth day of Kartika month, this festival pulls the people to the markets for shopping. Jewellery and utensils purchased during this day is considered very auspicious.

The celebration revolves around an interesting tale where the glittering ornaments and oil lamps saved a life of a doomed death of a Prince on the fourth day of his marriage. The newlywed wife on the very fourth day didn’t allow him to sleep, instead sang melodious songs and narrated stories. Along with this, she laid out all gold ornaments and coins in a heap at the entrance of their room and illuminated a lot of lamps all over the palace. When Yamaraj, the god of death arrived there to finish the predestined task as a serpent, his eyes got blinded by the dazzle of those brilliant lights and he couldn’t enter his boudoir.

The unsuccessful snake then climbed on top of the heap of coins and sat there the whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning, he quietly went away. Thus, the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then, the day – Dhanteras came to be known as the day of ‘Yamadeepdaan’ and lamps are kept burning throughout the night to pay respects to Yama, the god of death.

As a part of the tradition, purchasing glittering metals including jewellery is considering prosperous. People renovate and decorate their homes for the festivities. Goddess Lakshmi is welcomed into the house on this day. Rangoli and tiny footprints of goddess are drawn in vermillion on the doorways to mark the entry.

Today we are celebrating the festival of wealth, Dhanteras. Let’s splurge to the festive times and indulge into the merry festivities.

Deepawali

If you want to embark on a Luxury Tours to India and are confused when to begin it; then wait no further. The best time to visit and experience the country has arrived and for the next six months, India is the place to be.

During the onset of this ideal period, the country will be welcoming the winters and travellers through “Occasions in October”. The festival of lights, fireworks, colours and happiness – Diwali will be celebrated lavishly during this month. With this extravaganza, the summer heat will bid a goodbye and adorn the country’s lucrative tourist destinations through idyllic weather conditions.

Exuberance of festive spree continues after Diwali with Chhath Pooja, worship of Sun in Bihar and Prakash Utsav celebrating the birth of Guru Nanak Dev in Punjab and other Northern states. Pushkar Camel Fair, one of the world’s largest camel fairs adorns the royal Rajasthan.

Ganga Mahotsav celebrates the existence of India’s lifeline, River Ganges in, Varanasi – the oldest city in the world. Held at the much revered Ganga Ghats, the festival features the cultural programs including classical music and dance. The festival concludes with the floating of more than a million clay lamps in the river at dusk amidst chanting of Vedic hymns as part of Dev Deepavali.

During 17th to 19th November, the literary intelligentsia will be together at the world known Hay festival in Kerala celebrating the passion behind writing. This year, many more International writers including Jung Chang, Rukmini Nair, Germaine Greer, K. Satchidanandan, Simon Armitage and Anita Nair will grace this occasion.

Though the big day of Christmas is celebrated throughout India, but the magical season of goodness can be best experienced in Goa and Kerala. For party lovers, New Year Celebrations mark a new high in Goa as well.

The first month celebrates the famous Kite Flying festival – Uttarayan in Gujarat along with Lohri and Makar Sankranti, the harvest festivals in North India.

Jaisalmer Desert Festival at Sam Sand Dunes mesmerizes the glory of vast sand expanse with the rustic flavour of Rajasthan including folk dance and singing, puppeteers, acrobatics, etc.

Chhath Pooja

During these six months, the wet northeast lands go dry and are easy on tourists who want to travel to destinations like Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Manipur. The sizzling south’s weather too becomes bearable with temperate climatic conditions in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Not only migratory birds flock to Indian Bird Sanctuaries and enjoy the mesmerizing autumn-winter retreat, but tourists also visit the country in high numbers and experience the incredible mystique of virgin territories.

Whether you want to explore the heritage of India, traditional legacy, biodiversity, lazy beaches, snowfall, adventure options, waterfalls or backwaters, the six months of October to March are the best time to visit India.

Luxury India Tours invites you to visit the impeccable mystique of India during these six months and live the experience of a lifetime. Be updated throughout the six months to plan a tour to these peak seasonal destinations.

In India, we celebrate everything, be it the change in seasons, harvesting of crops, cultural legacies, following the religious traditions or bond of relationships. The month of October is filled with occasions and celebrations, and one such upcoming festival lined up this weekend is Karva Chauth.

Karva-chauth

Famously known as the Indian version of Valentine’s Day, this festival symbolizes the eternal love in the life of husband and wife. Together in a sanctified bond and fulfilling the family responsibilities, this day celebrates the bond of marriage. Dedicated to the wife of Lord Shiva – Goddess Parvati, this is an annual one day festival where wives fast from food and water for the prosperity, well being and long life of their husbands.

Celebrated on the fourth day of Kartika month, the Karva Chauth festival pulls out the families towards the markets. Throughout the north India, Married women purchase new dresses including gaudy sarees, cosmetics and jewellery to celebrate their day and apply henna on their hands as a symbol of being a suhagan. At times, even unmarried women observe this fast for their fiancées or desired husbands.

The morning starts with a sargi – the early morning meal consisting of rich Vermicelli – Milk Seviyan to support the day long fast. The day proceeds where the fasting women are not allowed to do any household work. For housewives, this fast serves as a holiday from their regular jobs.

In the evening, all fasting women drape themselves in the colourful & rich dresses and step outside for collective evening Pooja in temple. All women sit into a circle and rotate their pooja thalis (worshipping) whilst singing traditional Karva Chauth songs. The elder lady recites the ‘katha’, the story behind Karva Chauth fast.

Karva Chauth

After that, every fasting woman starts waiting for her husband and crescent shaped moon to complete the fast. It is customary for a lady to see the moon first through a sieve, or its reflection in water. Water and sweet mathri is offered to Moon god to secure the blessings. Followed by this, the lady turns towards her husband and views his face indirectly through the sieve only. Eventually, the husband completes her fast by offering the wife the first sip of water and morsel of the day.

The fast is now complete and the woman relishes a complete meal. After that, husband gifts something special to his lady including jewelry or a new dress.

This year the festival of love will be celebrated on October 15th, 2011. So let’s kindle the spirit of love and celebrate the bonds of lifetime through Karva Chauth.

Indian mythology inherits the belief that Good should defeat Evil and emerge victorious. The celebration of Dussehra or Vijaydashmi reinforces the same idea every year with the effigy burning of Ravana symbolizing the expected victory of ideals over odds.

Dussehra-Puja

It is the only festival celebrated in different variants, with the basic message of victory of Good over Bad. Be it Goddess Durga slaying buffalo headed Mahishasura or Lord Rama defeating the ten headed demon King Ravana, Dussehra is celebrated as a Victory festival.

In north India, people celebrate this victory by splurging in various Dussehra fairs. Many stalls featuring mouthwatering delicacies, art and craft, toys, swings and joyrides form a part of these fairs. They also see Ramlila performances featuring the enactment of the life of Lord Rama during the nine nights – navratri. On Dussehra evening, an auspicious procession including Tableaux offering glimpses of Lord Ram’s life reaches the fair venue. According to the muhurats, the larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son and brother – Meghanadha and Kumbhakarna are set to fire.

Ravan-Vadh

According to Ramayana, Ravana was a great scholar, who possessed the thorough knowledge over the 4 Vedas and 6 Upanishads. But it was his deed of abducting Sita, wife of Rama that brought him to this end. He was known as Dashanan – having ten heads and that is why this festival is known as Dussehra which means defeat of ten headed Ravana.

While burning effigies, people recall the belief to burn the evils within them and follow the righteous path of truth and goodness.

In West Bengal, nine day long festival of Durga Pooja is concluded with immersion of clay idols on the same day.

The festival of Dussehra or Vijaydashmi will be celebrated on October 6th, 2011 in different ways and forms, but the spirit of prevailing goodness will remain the same. Let’s celebrate this inspiring festival with full fervor this year.

In Kolkata, Dussehra is celebrated at large scale with full of zeal. Visitors like to prefer Kolkata tour on its festive session like Dussehra.

As other regions celebrate the existence of Mother Goddess, the city of palaces too is geared up to honour Goddess Chamundeswari through Dasara. Nowadays, Mysore is at its dazzling best with Dasara celebrations in full swing. The royal state festival of Karnataka has made Mysore beam vibrance and illuminate to the festivities.

Dasara celebrations

According to legends, Mysore or Mahishur was the kingdom of Mahishasura, the buffalo headed demon. Here only the Goddess Chamundeshwari killed him on the tenth day of war. And since then, Dasara is celebrated as a symbol of victory of good over evil.

This year, the city royale is celebrating 401st Mysore Dasara with full fervor. The grand festivities began on 28th Sept. 2011 with the worshipping of Goddess Chamundeswari at the Chamundi Hill Temple by Royal Couple of Wodeyar Dynasty. This begins the much awaited festive season comprising of various musicals, dance concerts and Kusti Spardha (wrestling-bouts).

Though the whole city is illuminated during Dasara, it’s the Mysore Palace which remains the center of attention. Over 97,000 bulbs adorn this grand palace.

On the ninth day, Ayudha Puja is performed with the worship of implements used in daily life such as computers, books or kitchen tools. It symbolizes the divine in the tools and objects that ease life.

The procession or Jumboo Savari on the tenth day marks the finale of this festival. This state procession begins from Mysore Palace and concludes at Bannimantap Parade Ground, where the Banni tree – Prosopis spicigera (symbolizing victory) is worshipped.

Mysore-Palace

The garlanded idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari placed on a 500 kg golden howdah atop the decorated elephant is the highlight of Jumboo Savari. This idol is worshipped by the royal couple before it is taken around in the procession. Colourful tableaux, dance groups, music bands, armed forces, folk performers, dancers, decorated elephants, horses, camels and brass bands comprise this gala end.

In the evening, a Torchlight Parade at Bannimantap along with fireworks closes this victory festival. All this and much more, dazzle the sandalwood city – Mysore during Dasara.

October for Indians is not just a month, it is time to splurge, enjoy and cherish the good times. Throughout the year, the country awaits for these indulgent times to celebrate and embrace happinesswith friends, families and dear ones. This star studded autumn fiesta is a perfect time to celebrate giant and lavish festivals including Durga Pooja, Dussehra and Diwali.

India Luxury Voyages also believes in celebrating such festivals with zest and fervour, hence “Occasions of October” are eagerly awaited right from the beginning of the month.

Durga-Puja

Starting with Navratri, and Gandhi Jayanti remembering the father of the nation – Mahatma Gandhi, the month will proceed towards Dussehra – an amalgam of various regional festivals wrapping the entire country.

North India will be celebrating this festive season through Ramlila – the staged glimpses of Lord Rama’s life. And on Dussehra, this ten day festivity will conclude with effigy burning of Ravana, Meghanada and Kumbhakarana.

In the eastern India, Durga Pooja will be celebrated in full swing. This festival also recalls the major war fought between the Goddess and Demon Mahishasura for the nine days and tenth day marked his death. Throughout the nation, these festivals symbolize the victory of Good over Evil.

Deepavali-Puja

Another major festival, Diwali marks the home coming ceremony of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi is also worshipped during that day. Followed by exclusive prayers and poojans, this festive month holds a special place in the heart of Indians.

The garland of Indian Festival is adorned with such different jewels offering special times to celebrate for various reasons, but what remains same is the festive spirit and zing associated with them. Luxury Tours to India will keep you posted with these festivals and their importance from time to time…

With the onset of Navratri, a nine night festival, India is ready to welcome the celebratory festive season. Dedicated to Mother Goddess, the season marks the worship of Adishakti and her nine divine forms in a grand way.

Navratri

Devotees make this period special and blissful by visiting Shrines like Vaishno Devi, and other Shaktipeeths to seek the blessings of Goddess. They fast and abstain themselves from any impure thought. And many of them celebrate this extravaganza by being a part of Durga Pooja Pandals and Dandiya Raas.

Towards the east of India, these nine nights are famously celebrated as Durga Pooja. This yearly festival is best celebrated in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. The city is dotted with innumerable pandals showcasing the grand idols of Durga. Throughout the nine days, the long and fascinating worship featuring mantras and shlokas in the glory of goddess. Devotees hop through intricately decorated pandals and cherish the splendour of the festival. Mouthwatering sweets and delicacies also add an attraction to the festival.

The occasion commemorates victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. According to the legend, the demon was killed by the goddess after nine days of continuous war on Vijay Dashami. To celebrate this victory, married women play with vermillion for the long life of their husbands. And this week long festival comes to an end with the immersion of Goddess Durga idol.

Garba-raas-dance

Gujarat celebrates the festival with the longest running dancing extravaganza in the world with Dandiya Raas. Each night, devotees dress in traditional Gujarati attire and gather in open spaces to celebrate feminine divinity epitomized by Goddess. Women perform Garba, while worshipping earthen pot called Garbha Deep, symbolizing the feminine form of divinity.

In the next edition, we will be updating you more about Dussehra, the festival followed by Navratri.

If you want to see Durga Puja so you may visit here and book a trip for Kolkata Tour packages, and have a great festival tour of India.