Tuesday 31 December 2013

Reasons Why Tourists Go For India V – Craft

India is an evergreen attraction for art lovers from the world over. There is reason behind this. No other country is accredited in the world for producing such a fantastic and large variety of colourful arts and crafts. Every Indian state is accredited for its unique and fascinating contribution to the country’s range and variety of handicrafts. Intensely colourful, delicately worked, exquisitely ornate and highly evolved, the handicraft industry of India is equally important for a tourist to India. They also make good souvenirs to take back hope after a shopping tour.
Crafts are not just a means of earning and livelihood for craftsmen here. These handicrafts are also a proud and creative expression of each community's distinct culture and identity. Their dedicated approach towards each handcrafted objects gives a new artistic meaning to the utilitarian subjects like quilts, table-tops, pottery, textiles, fabrics, etc.
Every part of India has its specialties. In fact, the destinations enjoy another identity of being a sourcing point for finest handicrafts and textiles. Like Brocade Silk Sarees are equivalent to Varanasi, Blue Pottery is associated with Jaipur, Bidriware to Golconda, Thangkas to Sikkim, Pietra Dura art of Agra, Shawls and Carpets of Kashmir, etc. Similarly, every destination journey is incomplete without observing and even purchasing such souvenirs. These ethnic sourcings beautified with Indian artistry and finest craftsmanship lure traveller’s mind to a point that makes them hard to resist. This is the main reason why these ethnic handicrafts are preferred by tourists during shopping in India.
Metalwork in brass and copperware are also an important art souvenir to be taken back home. It can be finely worked into trays, ashtrays, cups, plates and bowls. In Rajasthan, Meenakari is the technique used to colour the antique wares and jewellery with intricate enamel work. In Karnataka, the preferred antiques by tourists feature Bidri work based on inlaying technique upon a gunmetal alloy with fine designs in brass or silver. This gunmetal is later then blackened with sal ammoniac, to leave the inlay work shining.
Carpets are yet another tourist favoured handicrafts in the country. In fact, there is no match to a Kashmiri rug. A pukka Kashmiri carpet is made completely of wool with a little silk for a desired sheen. Woven carpets or durries from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh are also considered a valued purchase.
Who can forget the touristic love for vibrant and exotic Sarees from India. Every tourist appreciative of Indian culture prefers to buy at least one of a kind piece of work back home. Same fascination can be observed with paintings of various kinds i.e. from Rajasthan, Kerala, Tanjore, Delhi, Bihar’s Madhubani etc are also purchased by art enthusiasts.

Such is the colourful world of arts and crafts in India that mesmerizes the world. You can also know and appreciate arts and crafts via go for India.

Saturday 7 December 2013

Reasons Why Tourists Go For India IV – Shopping

It must be essential to note that many tourists come to India just for shopping. An adventure of a vibrant kind, shopping is a great attraction in the country. But this trend is not just catching up recently. India was a shopper’s paradise then and now as well. Many historic travellers like Vasco Da Gama came to India after listening to the exotic tales of sourcing the finest silks, spices and carpets. Since then, numerous dynasties, foreign travellers came up to this country for obtaining its finest souvenirs.
In India, shopping takes up an irresistible urge, which cannot go unnoticed. There is so much in the country in terms of bustling bazaars, emporiums, well planned markets and even malls that add on to the shopping attractions of the country. During the shopping tour, a visitor can purchase the vast number of colourful arts, crafts, antiques, knick-knacks, fabrics, carpets, and much more add up to the list of shopping subjects. All these products offer a treat for the onlooker where the buyers can enjoy the shopping walks into markets and shopping hubs.
There are many tourist destinations famous for their specialties in shopping. Kashmir is renowned for its pure woolen Pashmina shawls, carpets and other woolen products. In terms of spices, the region is famous for saffron, Black cumin seeds, Kashmiri chillies and honey.
Jaipur in Rajasthan is known for blue pottery, bed linen, furnishings, durries, embroidered fabrics, vibrant footwear, stone carving, bangles, wooden toys, blankets. Agra is renowned for Pietra Dura inlay decoratives including the replicas of Taj Mahal, coasters, and the luxurious souvenirs from the city can vary even to the dining tables. Other shopping attractions of Agra include leather works including shoes, bags, belts and more; rugs and carpets. 
In Varanasi, travellers can source the bright and beautiful Banarasi Sarees produced by local craftsmen of Benaras. They utilize the weaving traditions on finest silks to produce the rich and royal sarees. Brass ware, ivory ware, glass bangles, copper ware, wood and clay toys and exquisite gold jewelry of Varanasi are also famous. Mysore, another hospitable destination is equally famous for its silks and other handicrafts made of sandalwood, rosewood and teakwood.
In Delhi, the visitors can shop from a variety of shops and source the variety of items including carpets, silks, jewellery, leather and silver ware, handicrafts and hand printed cotton. In Kerala, tourists can source numerous souvenirs ranging from Aranmula Kannadi - a lavish hand mirror, Netturpetti – ethnic jewel box, spice boxes, wood carvings, snake boat and Kettuvallam models, etc.

In all, India is a prominent shopping destination with numerous shopping attractions to look out for a lifetime. A shopping tour through the bylanes of the city or into its sophisticated emporiums brings out the best of the shopping destination called India. 

Thursday 7 November 2013

Reasons Why Tourists Go For India III – Rituals and Traditions

Rituals are the roots of India. Its significance is essential as existence of humankind in the country. The day here begins with a ritual and ends with the same. They add structure and balance to our life. And in the country as large as India, the rituals are more vivid, colourful and diverse. Followed with a lot of devotion and enthusiasm, these rituals form the traditional wealth of the country’s most illustrated experiences. In fact, many tourists who wish to visit India envision themselves to be the part of India’s celebrated rituals. This denotes the complete experience of travellers in the country.
The first ritual experienced by the hearty travellers is definitely the welcome in the colourful country. Following the philosophy of Atithi Devo Bhavah, this welcoming ritual includes receiving the guests and offers them great respects of visiting India. This includes applying Tika on the forehead of the tourists, offering them garlands followed by Aarti. This custom extends India’s heartfelt welcome and sets the effective tone for the impressive India tour.
This kind of divine experience follows travellers at every turn in India, where they are welcomed by every household in any destination with the same fervour and excitement. With great simplicity, care and affection, the guests’ curiosities regarding the complex rituals and traditions are also met by many Indian families.
Also, the guests are involved in the festive celebrations, so that they can have a rich and personalized experience of ritualistic and traditional side of the country. Enjoyed with a lot of enthusiasm, these rituals present the country at its most exciting best. This is also the main reason why travellers prefer to go for India during the festive times and it gets more difficult to block the slot during the days set for celebrations.

Beyond the rituals and traditions, these festivals follow the rituals that have been passed on from generations to generations, and have become a part of country’s living heritage. Though the times have changed, still it has caused no change to the way these festivals are celebrated. Such is the importance of rituals and traditions that have withstood the passing times and offer a rich and enchanting glimpse of India’s living heritage. Many travellers go for India for its wealth of traditions and rituals. 

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Reasons Why Tourists Go For India II – Culture

Culture is referred as the way of life in India. Remarkably known for its cultural diversity, this country is a home to several ethnic groups, each having their own language and culture. The diverse history of the country, woven together in a tapestry presents the foundation of world’s major religions of Buddhism, Hinduism and the spread of Islam and Christianity. But wait, this is just the hook to the country’s rich cultural diversity. There is more to the culture of India than just the religions. The elaborate rituals, traditions, festivals, music, food, dance, architecture also comprise in the great cultural wealth of the country. It is ingrained in the culture of the country to present the unique hospitable aspect to the visitor from different parts of the world.
This hospitable side binds the country together under the belief of Atithi Devo Bhavah under which every guest is greeted at par with God and respected as a family member in terms of cordial hospitality, food and comforts. Everywhere in the country, a traveller will surely experience this commonness. Any household you visit, any hotel you stay, any sightseeing you do; every Indian will make sure you receive the best of hospitality in the country. Subdued in this common belief, rests the foundation of culture based on architecture, languages, religions, dances and cuisines.
Besides the awe-inspiring hospitality, it’s the ancient cultural heritage that bridges the ethnic diversity and brings the country on the single platform. It is the country’s inclinations towards the classical music and dance. Depicting the social-religious life, music in India is essentially melodic. There are two prominent bastions of classical music, first is Hindustani Music prevalent in north and Carnatic Music in south.
Like other aspects of Indian culture, dance also has different interpretations and there are eight distinctive classical dance forms in the country that belong to different states. They are Kathak (UP), Kathakali and Mohiniattam (Kerala), Odissi (Odisha), Bharatnatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Manipuri (Manipur) and Sattriya (Assam). But together, these dance forms through gestures and postures present the rich and elaborative side of the country’s culture.
Food is another specimen of rich Indian culture. Seasoned with spices or Masalas, these curries, flatbreads, biryanis, and other colloquial cuisines present the rich side of India’s culinary wealth.
Festivals in India are loud and colourful affairs, pulling in every one in the grandeur of the celebrations. There are festivals dedicated to regions and religions that are celebrated with great pomp and splendour. For Indian festivals, it is often said that the festive time runs in the country throughout the year. This quote itself reiterates the importance of festive times in the eternal culture of the country. Also, these festivals invite tourists from different parts of the world to participate and enjoy being the part of Indian festivities.
Architecture of India also echoes the age old resilience of the country that constantly absorbed new ideas. This openness to new ideas has brought to the country the scintillating collection of ancient ruins, sculpted temples, caves, stupas, mosques, forts, palaces and a lot more in its rich architecture.

This diversified culture also forms one major reason why tourists Go for India. The unique unity in diversity of the country’s civilization can be experienced during the cultural tours of the country.




Thursday 19 September 2013

Reasons Why Tourists Go For India – Its Heritage

India is a fascinating destination. Offering the vastness and diversity to the world, the country is a splendid tourist attraction, drawing visitors from different parts of the globe. These tourists visit India to understand and have a tasteful appreciation of the country’s deep rooted heritage, architecture, culture and nature. Above all, the range of diversity draws them towards the country.
Here, not a single state is identical to the other. And each of the 28 Indian states is bestowed with different facets and features, which makes the country on the whole a lucrative travel destination. Those travellers who are keen to experience more of the country’s richness and diversity frequent more towards its splendid attractions. This is one big reason why tourists go for India.

But there is more to it why tourists turn towards this exotic country. One of such reasons is its multifaceted and varied historical heritage that acts as a big differentiator for the nation. No other country is dotted with so many monuments, forts, palaces, temples, ruined remains, stupas, etc. It is this legacy of rich monuments only that forms a hook for tourists who miss that heritage element within their home countries.
The splendidly carved forts, extravagant palaces, the tribute of tombs, excellent rock cuts and the remains of the erstwhile civilizations; all fascinate, inspire and transport the tourists in the past. These heritage remnants are the most emblematic and iconic structures in the country, offering a varied taste of Indian historical legacy to a tourist.
Each monument in India is a glorious reminiscence of the rich and illustrious past of the country. Instantly recognizable, these heritage structures are the country’s most coveted national treasures. Bestowed with artistic vision and exemplary skills, these monuments symbolize the country’s rich wealth of heritage.
A tourist feels intrigued, charmed and attracted towards such a rich monumental heritage not just because of its intricate structures, but also because of the stories associated with these heritage monuments. The legends behind their creation lend a life and persona to the stone monument. Special light and sound shows are organized to bring the visitors closer to the stories and legends related with the monuments, forts, temples, pillars, towers, etc.  These breathtaking narrations bring forth the interesting struggles and threats posed against the backdrop of their constructions. Also, these special presentations recount the story behind the creation of such landmark structures and lend a soul and identity to them.


This is one reason why India has 24 historical sites that are even recognized as world heritage sites by UNESCO. All these facets of the country’s illustrious heritage make it a milestone attraction of India tour. And forms a prominent reason why tourists go for India

Saturday 14 September 2013

Discover the heart of France during India Tour

Tourism is a bridge that connects the nations across the globe. France and India are also closely connected for their shared love for distinctive cultures, traditions and flourishing art forms. Travelling in this case develops and nurtures a mutual appreciation of the cultural and traditional wealth both the countries have.
In recent years, this tourism exchange has brought a lot of benefits to both the countries. Many Indians have realized their wish of travelling to the most luxurious European country and vice versa. French on the other hand have also started swarming towards India in large numbers for their love for Indian culture. It’s the elaborative and absorptive culture of India that brings the French travellers in quest of India. And in their search, these hearty travellers get to visit the attractions of India that are prized possessions of the country.
The one destination, which is the must visit in the itinerary of every French traveller is Puducherry. Formerly addressed as Pondicherry, this erstwhile French colony is a located on the southeast coast of the Bay of Bengal. The coastal territory, lined by the rocky outcroppings is one Indian destination where French tourists can feel at home. Here, they can eat freshly baked croissants and espresso coffee, speak locally in French, admire the old French duplexes, drive through the beach promenade and enjoy a light fusion of Tamil-French cuisines.
The territory at present retains the distinctly French ambience and culture, thanks to its French colonial past. But other attraction to be explored during the visit to this French Riviera is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Founded by the well-known saint philosopher, Aurobindo, the ashram attracts thousands of tourists for its integral yoga discipline. Also, many of them come to enjoy the peaceful state of existence here in the ashram.

More than just the peace, it’s the search to find the Indian way of soaking the French culture that attracts a native to the country. These travellers go for India and begin discovering the country by looking out for little familiar sights of the historic French past. And here, they get a perfectly warm and subdued Indo-French experience in a way found nowhere else in the world. In all, it can be said that a little bit of France rests in India’s Puducherry.

Monday 9 September 2013

Go India Tour – Travel Through The Land Of Many Splendoured Attractions

India is famed worldwide for its exotic cultural and traditional wealth. This seventh largest country in the world is bestowed with extreme diversities in terms of geography, climate, language, people and lifestyles, making it indeed a rich destination. Such a rich collection of intangible wealth has made this country a land of thousand attractions with the highest variety of travel in the world.
These wide natured tours and travel packages have the power and enigma to cater the enthusiast of any kind. For an explorer, there are a number of historical and heritage based travel options available throughout the country.  The historical tours India here bring the wonderful opportunity to study and discover the different phases that changed the course of history. The country has seen the rise and fall of many great empires that form a great backdrop for its illustrious past. Designed for the history aficionados, these tours are created to take the travellers back in time through the sightseeing of monuments, forts, palaces, temples, ruins, etc.
The royal share of history can be also experienced via travelling to Rajasthan. Often glorified as the land of hundred kingdoms, this largest Indian state boasts a rich Rajput architectural legacy. On the whole, the state is bestowed with a dream-like persona based on impressive forts, indulgent palaces and merchant havelis. Besides this, there are war memorials, exquisitely carved temples and colour washed cities that add on to the grandeur of this state. The equally extravagant fairs and festivals also add on to the incredible charm of India. These fairs are basically a welcoming relief to the scorching weather of Rajasthan and provide a way for celebration to the locals. Prominent among them in Rajasthan is Pushkar Fair, Desert Festival of Jaisalmer, and Elephant Festival. The enlivened aura of the destination in full fervour can also be experienced via Fairs and Festivals Tours of India.
The next heritage attractions of India are the iconic temples of the country. These temples are the masterpieces in their own right and present the artistic and lively facets of Hindu shrines. Considered the backbone of the country’s culture, traditions and rituals, these temples are constructed magnificently as a dedication to the God. The South Indian temples have a particular characteristic of colour-washed Gopurams or pyramidal temple gateways that add on to its magnificence. Richly decorated with colourful carvings and sculptures of Hindu Gods, these Dravidian style temple towers present the prosperous times of the historical era. Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple, Brihadishwara Temple in Tanjore, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum are a few of the many famous Temples with Gopurams.
Other side of heritage temple architecture can be seen via a visit to the Group of Temples at Khajuraho. Carved profusely for nearly two centuries on sandstone, these sculpted temples present the artistic excellence and broader mindsets of the ancestors in looking at things. May be that’s why the 20 temples here are devoted to sensuality.
Go India Tour has a lively mix of unique tour options and itineraries to introduce a traveller with a hearty mix of the country’s heritage. Go for India is committed to cater the visitors with the exclusive experiences of the country like never before. And present an experiential way to know more about the country.