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2010 Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:36:39 +0000

Kala Ghoda Festival sculpture
www.flickr.com user Enygmatic-Halycon

The nine day extravaganza that is the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is underway at the moment in Mumbai. The 11th edition of the festival kicked off over the weekend and will run until February 14, 2010.

This year's theme is the Presence of the Past. However, it's been bringing mixed reviews. The lack of popular bands and established artists are common complaints. As to, is the fact that spa and ayurvedic stalls have replaced many eclectic arts and craft sellers.

Regardless, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is one of the highlights of the year in Mumbai, and shouldn't be missed if you have an interest in music, art, and other performances. A detailed program of events is available from the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival Website.

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2010 Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai originally appeared on About.com India Travel on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 02:36:39.

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Are Jungle Safaris in India Overrated?

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:46:17 +0000

Corbett National Park.
Sharell Cook

A couple of days ago, I went on my second jungle safari in India. The first one was at Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary in the Wayanad district of Kerala. This one was at the opposite end of India -- at Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.

I didn't expect to see a tiger at either place, but I still came away feeling like the whole jungle safari experience is often overrated -- at least for foreign tourists who have to pay much higher entrance fees than Indians.

Sure, the scenery was beautiful but the only wild animals I saw were deer and monkeys. Maybe if I'd gone on the safaris during in April-May (the hottest time of the year when the animals come out in search of water), it would've been different. Or maybe a smaller national park, such as Bandhavgarh, might have afforded more animal sightings. Regardless, I didn't find the safari experience very exotic or worth the inflated cost.

What do you think?

Are Jungle Safaris in India Overrated? originally appeared on About.com India Travel on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 10:46:17.

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Alcohol Ban in Darjeeling Lifted

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:54:58 +0000

Kangchenjunga sunset.
www.flickr.com user A.Ostrovsky

Here's some good news for anyone wanting to enjoy a drink in Darjeeling, whilst watching the sunset over Kangchenjunga. The Gorkha Janmukhi Morcha political party has lifted its ban on the sale of alcohol in bars, restaurants, and shops in Darjeeling.

The ban was introduced three months ago, to stop revenue flowing into Bengal state government coffers and thus exert pressure on the government. However, it created a great deal of resentment amongst tourists, shop keepers, and even residents who drink alcohol to help beat the cold winter chill.

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Alcohol Ban in Darjeeling Lifted originally appeared on About.com India Travel on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 07:54:58.

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India Photo of the Week - Pangong Lake Ladakh

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:37:08 +0000

This photo was taken at Pangong Lake, in the Ladakh region of remote northern India.

Read the photographer's travelogue.

Do you have a photo of India, Nepal, Bhutan, or Sri Lanka that you'd like to share? Submit your photo here along with a brief description and it may be featured as Photo of the Week.

Photo copyright Kishore K.K.

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India Photo of the Week - Pangong Lake Ladakh originally appeared on About.com India Travel on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 03:37:08.

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The Deceptive Cleanliness of India's Beaches

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:08:32 +0000

Leonardo Media

Recently, a reader posted a comment in the India Travel Forum. He had visited Marari beach, near Alleppey in Kerala, which I'd recommended for its unspoilt cleanliness.

Unfortunately though, he got an unwelcome surprise during a walk along the beach at sunrise -- squatting fisherman relieving themselves right on the beach.

This practice, whilst unsavory, is a common custom in India. And the evidence is usually washed away by the tide later in the morning. However, the reader raised a very important point. Tourists were arriving on the beach at noon and swimming in the sea, blissfully unaware of the potentially high bacterial content of the water.

It's a concerning matter, and something that people should be aware of when visiting India's beaches. Some of them are not suitable for swimming!

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The Deceptive Cleanliness of India's Beaches originally appeared on About.com India Travel on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 05:08:32.

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Chakra View: Goa's First Ecological Music Festival

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:35:04 +0000

www.flickr.com user Hallom

Goa's first ecological music festival will take place in the jungle near Agonda beach from February 5-7, 2010. Anyone who's experienced, or wants to experience, the vibe of Goa's renowned outdoor parties will love this event.

Set amidst nature, local and international DJs will play everything from psychedelic to chill out sounds over two stages. Also on offer will be yoga, meditation, martial arts, healing, flea market, organic food, fire and juggling performances.

The festival gets underway early -- from 6 a.m. -- on February 5. Tickets cost 3,000 rupees at the gate. More information is available from the Chakra View Festival website.

Want to save 50% on the price of your ticket? Participate in the festival's very worthwhile beach clean up initiative.

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Chakra View: Goa's First Ecological Music Festival originally appeared on About.com India Travel on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 03:35:04.

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Hampi Festival Celebrates the Coronation of Emperor Krishnadevaraya

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:15:56 +0000

Hampi Festival.
Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images

The three day Hampi Festival, which is usually held in early November each year, gets underway in the ancient ruins of Hampi today.

The festival aims to portray the grandeur of the time when Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagar, one of the greatest Hindu kingdoms in India's history. This year, it was delayed to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the coronation of Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya.

Krishnadevaraya's reign was extremely prosperous, and the 100-pillared Vittalaya temple in Hampi was built during this time. Various cultural programs, including song and dance, and a sound and light show, will recreate the grandeur and glory of the empire.

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Hampi Festival Celebrates the Coronation of Emperor Krishnadevaraya originally appeared on About.com India Travel on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 00:15:56.

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Top 25 Hotels in India

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:25:48 +0000

Casa Candolim, Goa.

Trusted travel advice site Tripadvisor.com has announced its 2010 Traveler's Choice Awards for hotels, based on feedback provided by you -- the traveler.

The winning list of the Top 25 Hotels in India contains a great mix of accommodations including small guesthouses, eco hotels, palace hotels, and luxury hotels. Check it out here and get some ideas of where to stay when visiting India:

Casa Candolim, Goa
Old Harbor Hotel, Kochi
Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata
Saj Home, Kochi
Ratan Vilas, Jodhpur
Camp Noel, Munnar
Victoria Hotel, Jaisalmer
Amarya Garden, New Delhi
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam
Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom
Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, Goa
Santana Beach Resort, Candolim, Goa
Orange County, Kabini
Devra, Udaipur
Trident, Gurgaon
Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kumarakom
Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel, Jodhpur
Hotel Killa Bhawan, Jaisalmer
Lemon Tree Hotel Hinjawadi, Pune
Oberoi Cecil, Shimla
Sunder Palace Guest House, Jaipur

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Top 25 Hotels in India originally appeared on About.com India Travel on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 07:25:48.

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Mumbai Dabbawallas Join India's Republic Day Parade

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:02:44 +0000

Mumbai Dabbawallas.
Sharell Cook

There are four days remaining until Republic Day in India. On January 26, India will celebrate it's 60th year of being a republic.

As happens every year, thousands of people will line Delhi's central Rajpath avenue to catch sight of the spectacular Republic Day parade. This year, Mumbai's dabbawallas will feature in the parade. If you're familiar with the dabbawallas, you'll know what an integral part of Mumbai they are.

The 5,000 dabbawallas accurately deliver around 200,000 lunch boxes of freshly cooked food to the city's office workers every day. The system started operating in 1890, with only 35 workers. It's now internationally recognized.

The dabbawallas will perform a skit in the parade, demonstrating how a box of food gets from one far-flung part of Mumbai to another.

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Mumbai Dabbawallas Join India's Republic Day Parade originally appeared on About.com India Travel on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 03:02:44.

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Where to Get Authentic Delhi Street Food in Mumbai

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:35:33 +0000

Gol Gappa/Pani Puri.
www.flickr.com user willsfca

Anyone who's a fan of authentic Delhi street food will be pleased to know that it's now possible to enjoy a wide variety of it in Mumbai.

A themed restaurant called Chandni Chowk recently opened up at the Mega Mall in Oshiwara (near Andheri, in Mumbai's western suburbs). Named after the bustling street food precinct in Old Delhi, it contains stalls designed to be replicas of actual areas of Chandni Chowk.

All dishes cost 49 rupees ($1) each. This is a lot more expensive than the street food in Delhi. However, the difference is that the food is prepared with Bisleri water, the food handlers wear gloves, and the restaurant is air conditioned. So, you can eat to your heart's content and not have to worry about getting sick!

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Where to Get Authentic Delhi Street Food in Mumbai originally appeared on About.com India Travel on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 07:35:33.

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