An easy 45-minute ride from Pune, the 17th-century Sinhagarh Fort is a must visit for history-lovers and trekkers alike. There are regular buses to the foot of the hill. From there you can either hire a jeep to take you up to the fort or trek up for and hour and a half. We’d recommend the latter.
Leaving the city, you can also stop at the Khadakvasla Lake, sip chai and eat corn cobs and masala mangoes from roadside stalls and stop to take photos or to just breathe the fresh air. There are stone masonry works along the tree-lined roads. You can find stone turrets, too, on the way.
Now, the history of the fort. It belonged to the Mughals, and was called Kondhana in their times. Maratha warrior Shivaji had had an eye on this strategic fort for quite some time, when Tanaji Malusare, a general in his army, expressed a wish to capture it. Yashwanti, Shivaji’s pet monitor lizard was sent up the fort’s wall, at midnight. And as they have a dreadful grip it allowed the soldiers to climb the wall using a rope tied to its back.
But Tanaji died before the complete capture of the fort, and Shivaji named it after him. Shivaji’s words were: “the fort has come but the lion (Sinha) has gone.” And thus naming it Sinhagarh Fort. Near the fort is a manmade water tank Dev Taka, that used to meet the water needs of the fort’s residents for many centuries.
An interesting thing about this tourist highlight is the presence of several shacks nearby that sell genuine Maharashtrian food. You can relish bhakris (local jowar rotis), kanda bhajjis (onion fritters) and bhaingan bharit (spicy aubergine paste) at these ‘homemade’ food stalls.
The International Women’s Day is in its 100th year! Hard to believe? The history behind it is even more amazing. Observed for the first time in February 1909, the IWD has grown in leaps and bounds. Literally! Across these 100 years women have braved many odds, taken up important positions, started revolutions and many such eventful things. They have initiated rallies, war time peace marches, started empowerment and self-help groups and have helped each other in their try for success.
India, too, has its share of glory. How many countries can boast of having had so many women in power – as ministers, police personnel, prime minister and president? Indian women are known for their meekness and humility. In the recent years, they’ve known to have broken boundaries that otherwise seem unsurmountable!
They have proved their mettle in all fields and shine in areas such as politics, defence, sports, etc. Every year many awards are given away to prominent women. Functions are held to commemorate their achievements and to felicitate them, too. This year, too, the president and other ministers have put up quite a number of reservations and concessions.
Whether at home, workplace or society, the respect women command have increased. It will continue to go up in the days ahead.
It’s the festival of colours! Holi. People, especially children, are waiting eagerly for this weekend. And why? Holi is the time when families, friends and neighbours get together to celebrate with pichkaries, dry colour powders and many other Holi toys to douse each other in bright colours. This festival is celebrated by Hindus, and is very popular in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and other countries with a high Hindu population.
The first round of Holi is played with dry powders and then the next with wet colours. Holi ushers in spring, a season associated with love and wellbeing. Sweets, special dishes and ornate cuisines colourfully decorate eachand every house where Holi is celebrated.
There are many legends associated with Holi. The most popular one is: Brahma granted Hiranyakashipu, the king of demons, a boon that made it impossible for him to be killed. After his long penance he demanded that he not be killed “during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or on sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra”. His arrogance reached the zenith, and he attacked the Heavens and the Earth. He wanted people to stop worshipping gods and start praying to him.
Prahlad, his son, was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlad continued offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu tried several times to kill his son, but failed. He once ordered Prahlad to sit on a pyre on the lap of his sister, Holika. Now, she could not die by fire by virtue of a shawl which would prevent fire affecting the person wearing it. After the fire was lit, the shawl flew from Holika, who was then burnt to death, while Prahlad survived unharmed. The shawl moved to cover him. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. On Holi Day, Holika Dahan is undertaken, where her effigy is burnt.
Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Narasimha (who is half-man and half-lion) and killed Hiranyakashipu at dusk (which was neither day nor night), on the steps of the porch of his house (which was neither inside the house nor outside) by restraining him on his lap (which is neither in the sky nor on the earth) and mauling him with his claws (which are neither astra nor shastra).
Every year, different states of North and Western India vie to outdo each other in the celebration of Holi. Gulal Goti, a balloon filled with colours, was very famous with the royal families of Rajasthan. Nowadays, even the common man plays with it. West Bengal’s specialty is Bhang Holi. After or during the celebrations, Bhang (a mixture of milk, almonds and marijuana) is drunk by the people. It is very much permitted by the government and has several religious associations and mentions.
As with all festivals now, Holi, too, is being increasingly celebrated by people across all religions and regions. South Indian, too, celebrate it with much pomp.
What could be better news for the newest tiger reserve in India than the news of five tigers being spotted within it? Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala is the country’s 38th tiger reserve! Earlier this month, a forest watcher had spotted the big cats and even got a photo of them. What is even more puzzling is that tigers usually roam around in a group only in the mating season. Here, the tigers were found by a stream. Wildlife photographer N.A. Naseer, who was in the reserve, too, was able to capture a few snaps.
According to the last tiger census using the pug-mark identification technique, the Parambikulam forests is home to an estimated 15 tigers.
All of us have heard about, and most have celebrated it for the past few years at least. We’re talking about St Valentine’s Day! People all over the world celebrate it by sending greetings, flowers and gifts, and by taking their lovers or friends out for meals, movies and malls!
St Valentine, a martyr of third-century Rome is credited with the observance of this special day. There are many theories and legends as to its origins. Some believe that St Valentine helped lovers to get married in secret at a time when Roman soldiers weren’t allowed to get married. Another story goes like this: Valentine himself was in jail and sent the first Valentine greeting to his secret love. But, whatever the story, youngsters of the day spend hoards on Valentine’s Day goods to please their friends and lovers.
A lot of conservative communities in India and other countries have come out harsh on them, though. Not many like the idea of their youth tugging along on this day, to a park or beach or even for a meal, with their lovers!! But whatever said and done, the day – February 14 – is a day much awaited and much celebrated. Greeting stores, shops, pubs and restaurants make bomb on this single day, wooing youngsters. If it falls on a weekend, then the whole weekend, too, will be celebrated.
Visit: www.beachresortkerala.com
The India International Aqua Show, 2010, Kochi, is coming to the city in its fifth edition. If you have an aquarium, or plan to get one, be sure to visit the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from February 12-16. It will have more than 150 stalls and over 10 pavilions. What can you see there? Everything about 0rnamental fish (both marine and freshwater) – aquariums, illuminations, aquarium plants, regulators, heaters, instruments, fish food and medicines and fish-related books and periodicals.
This Ornamental Fish & Accessories Exhibition and Trade Fair is being organised by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. It will be a great chance for exhibiting and marketing fish, fish-related products and accessories.
There will be competitions for ornamental fish, on features such as breeding, innovative practices, technology and display, for breeders, amateurs and traders. You can also check out the exclusive pavilion for imported aquariums. Prizes will be given away during the show, with highlights on cultural and art performances during and after the prizes distribution.
This aqua show will benefit manufacturers and distributors of aquarium, aquarium accessories and related products. Those dealing in fish medicines, drugs, treatment chemicals, fish food, fishery products, publishers of fisheries-related literature, and exporters of ornamental fish will be able to promote their business as well as interact with government bodies and the public.
Source: www.aquashowkerala.com
From January 17 on, when you board the 2431 Hazrat Nizamuddin-Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani Express from Delhi, you’ll see Kerala’s colours all over the train. Yes, literally. As part of an advertising campaign by Kerala Tourism,the train’s exteriors – all its 17 coaches – are covered in bright vinyl graphics that showcase Kerala’s tourist attractions. You can see monuments, forts, art and dance forms and tourist sites from Kovalam to Kasargod on this canvas.
One can see beaches, backwaters, houseboats, hill stations, wildlife, and boat races. The captions are ‘Chalo Kerala’ in Hindi and ‘Go Kerala’ in English. This will run for 6 months, till June, 2010. Kerala is the first state to try its hand at this unique form of advertising. More than half of India use the railways as its major means of transport. This will be a definite boost to that.
And it’s not just the passengers who will be enticed by this grand visual display, passing drivers, pedestrians, and onlookers, too, will come to know of Kerala and its beauty. Even international tourists use the trains to travel within the country, so this will showcase the state like no other campaign can. That, too, in a novel way.
Kerala Tourism believes this is a very effective way to promote its brand message as the 17 carriages, wrapped in a separate theme, have “complete dominance for space and attention”.
“Commuters who use public transport, especially trains, are by far one of the most significant consumer groups in India in terms of expenditure and consumption. In terms of eyeballs, around 85,000 commuters use the platforms on a daily basis and the ‘Chalo Kerala’ campaign is a great way to reach out to this captive audience,” Kerala Tourism Secretary V Venu said.
Director of Kerala Tourism M Sivasankar said the campaign was part of the innovative promotion strategy to enhance visibility for the destination and unique tourism products the state has to offer while directly connecting with potential visitors from key source cities.
“It will be impossible for commuters to avoid an exterior montage of endless holiday possibilities, from adventurous to indulgent all fun and engaging while waiting for their train. Passing drivers and pedestrians will also gain top-of-mind awareness through larger than life images and bold branding,” he said.
If Thekkady town were a person, I’d say he has a spring in his steps now. And there’s a mighty good reason for it.
Check out: http://www.hotelsthekkady.com/2010/01/thekkady-lake-alive-with-tourist-boats/
Every Indian remembers and observes 15 August as India’s Independence Day. In 1947, India obtained its Independence, but it was only on 26 January 1950, it became a sovereign Republic. The main attractions of the event celebrated every year are the unfurling of the Tricolour by the President, his address to the nation and the Republic Day Parade that follows. Besides these, bravery awards to armed personnel and civilians and police medals are given away on this day.
India’s Constitution – the largest in the world – came into force on this day. The seeds of a Republic were sowed at the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress on 31 December 1929. Pt Jawarhar Lal Nehru presided over it, and the members of the meeting pledged to mark January 26 as ‘Independence Day’. The session led to the Civil Disobedience Movement. It was in order to honour this day that India’s Republic Day is now observed on 26 January.
The country has made great strides in the 60 years of it being a sovereign secular Republic. The parade, floats and celebrations can be watched live on television. You can even send Republic day greetings online, watch specific videos as well as download patriotic songs and wallpapers from government web sites.
