Theme journeys in India, Nepal and Bhutan
Theme journeys in India, Nepal and Bhutan
The most fascinating part of travel to India are the stories that you hear. India has been known to be a land where both the animate and the inanimate are excellent storytellers. The story of the Taj is as exciting as the tales told by the chaiwala sitting right outside it; and both these stories are as exciting as the travelogue of the chai. As India starts proving itself to be a growth story that the entire world is reading about, it is often a good idea to travel through your own novella. For 31 years, INDEBO (www.indebo.com) has been responsible for the development and design of these journeys. Such journeys revolve around a certain theme that depends on the likes and dislikes of the traveller. A few such themes are mentioned.
The Ganges: From the source to the sea, the Ganges is more of a unique entity than a physical river. The river has been made immortal by the legend that surrounds it and the role that it plays in the various legends. The river is also a part of daily life and life on the banks of the river starts with a prayer to it. The journey starts at Gomukh, believed to be the source of the river deep in the upper Himalayas. It winds through Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world and ends at the Sunderbans, the world's largest delta. A part of the journey can be accomplished by rafting (in the upper reaches) and by sailing in fishermen's boats (from Allahabad to Varanasi, from Chandennagore to Kolkata and then in the Ganga Sagar).
Textiles and Crafts: Art is everywhere because a person's search for beauty and truth is eternal. These are journeys with the earth people to see how art is integral to the lives of ordinary people. Eastern India is known for the silver filigree work, ikat weaving in silk and cotton, tye-and-dye, the lost wax process, patachitra paintings and palm leaf etchings. Rajasthan being a desert, the people believed that it was their duty to infuse colour. As a result, the textiles are a riot of colour and the region is famous for its block prints, the Kota sari, blue and red geometric patterns and mirrored embroidery work. Of course, you cannot even get started on Gujarat and the South.
The living religions: The subcontinent is a spiritual land. It has 9 major religions. There is Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, and Zorastrianism. India celebrates the diversity that each faith represents. In Amritsar, the Golden Temple is the most important shrine of the Sikh community. In Haridwar and Varanasi, the simple, uncluttered faith of the people is evident in the prayers and rituals they perform on the banks of the Ganga. The town of Ajmer has the Dargah of a 13th century Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. In Bodhgaya, the Mahabodhi Temple, with the revered Bodhi tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment, is one of the most significant place for Buddhists.
Coffee, Tea and Spices: Coffee and Tea, like the bean and the leaf themselves, require delicate and intensive care. Preparing the beverage is a ritual fusing of art and science. In a break that cheers you get the perfect blend. Other things besides. It will leave you thirsty for more. For the quintessential filter coffee, we go to Madikeri, a quiet and unhurried mountanious area. Its gentle ghats tumble down towards the sea. Coffee grows under the shade of pepper vines. The smell of cardamom and pepper assails the senses. The town has bungalows and colonial villas made by the British. A mud fort is part of the experience.
Fairs and festivals: In the land of a thousand gods and goddesses, fairs and festivals surprise us with the sheer numbers and scale of celebrations. The animist traditions are just one such example. During Myoko, (celebrated by the Apatani tribe during Spring), the ritual involves the sacrifice of pigs and chickens. Three villages partake in the rituals by rotation. People from other villages are invited for local beer and meat. Harvest festivals are quite integral as well. During Bihu pavilions with thatched roofs come up in villages, which are then set ablaze in the morning. There is feasting and dancing all night. The moon playing an important role in the tides and thus trade, it is not surprising that there are quite a few festivals related to it. Karthik Purnima was considered the most auspicious day by traders to venture on a journey to distant lands. To mark the occasion small boats made of cork, colored paper and banana tree barks are floated in the Mahandi river during the Bali Yatra.
About the author: After 12 years in school, 4 years in anengineering college and 2 years at a management institute, Anindya finally realised what he didn't want. Stepping into inbound tourism and working in the marketing department at INDEBO (www.indebo.com), he realised that a job need not be boring. He has been working in the company for almost two years and there is no other place he'd much rather be. In these years, he has travelled extensively through the lesser known regions of Northern India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, and has trekked through some of the most pristine National Parks.
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