For travellers, India is considered a pilgrimage for scouting stunning textiles – in colours, designs and types. The country unravels a wide variety of weaving traditions that unfold as part of the vivid culture of the country. Almost all states of the country have a weaving tradition that showcases a glimpse of the state’s history. Kanjivaram, Uppada, Ikat and many more weaves metamorphose into saris, table covers, runners and curtains, giving the traveller a large variety to choose from. Here are some hubs that produce some of the most mesmerizing textiles.
Uppada
The unassuming village in Andhra Pradesh found a place on the travel map of the state, when the weaves from here made a foray into the market. Intricately woven but subtly designed, the Uppada saris cannot be missed. This also gives one the opportunity to see life in a village at close quarters.
Understanding the rhythm of Delhi.
Delhi, the capital of the largest democracy in the world, is bound to take you on an adventure. In many ways, it is the essence of modern India, with its overwhelming paradox of the old and new – something that a cosmopolitan city is bound to have in its DNA. From ancient monuments to glitzy malls and sprawling lush parks to beehive like concrete structures, the city promises to arrest your senses. Here are some of the picks in the city that Supriya ensures, will not disappoint you. Start exploring in concentric circles from the centre of the city and see the imprint of various dynasties that have left their mark on the city. Here are some of the picks in the city that we ensure, will not disappoint you, and orient you to the different aspects of the city.
Chandi Chowk Area
Choked with shoppers, rickshaws, people heading to Jama
Masjid (mosque) and travellers, Chandni Chowk is Delhi’s
most overwhelming yet pulsating place that is essential
to draw one into the fold of the city. It lies in the old
city area across Red Fort and encapsulates the
energy that the city runs on. Weathered buildings
cast permanent shadows on slim lanes that are
packed with clothes, jewellery, textiles, utensils
and what feels like, everything under the sun.
An early morning walk through the spice market, Jama
Masjid, the bird hospital and a Gurudwara will make for
one of the most enriching walks ever.
Humayun’s Tomb
The city’s first Mughal mausoleum, Humayun’s Tomb was constructed to house the remains of the second Mughal emperor. It was built by Haji Begum, his senior widow who is buried alongside her husband.
The elegant structure is reminiscent of the Taj Mahal in Agra, the only difference being, that this is constructed in red sandstone and inlaid with black and white marble. The manicured lawns of the structure are a great place to sunbathe in the wintery chill and take in the effect of the stunning architectural skill.
Qutab Minar
A slice of history with superlative statistics, the Qutab
Minar promises to enthrall. This is the tallest brick
minarety in the world, and the second tallest
tower in India. The tall structure and the sprawl of
ruins around make for an atmospheric trip for a couple
of hours. The 13th century monument lies juxataposed
with the cosmopolitan vibe of the city. A few hours are
ample to take in the anecdotes about its construction.
Delhi on a Segway
The Segway craze has hit India too and it couldn’t be
better news for those who love a snazzy set of wheels
when they are discovering a city. Explore India on
wheels from the Secretariat Building to India Gate, the two iconic structures in the centre of
the city. This is a smooth ride, considering the roads are
immaculate and one is well covered with proper gear and
led by an instructor. The buildings that fall on the way
are, the Secretariats, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Parliament
and India Gate.
Kingdom of Dreams
A live Bollywood themed musical, Kingdom of Dreams is a showcase of the vibrant dance and music pop culture of India. Add to this, there is a semi open air food court that is dotted with stalls from different states. The cuisines represent the tastes from different corners of India – an excellent idea to try out a variety of flavours. This is a perfect option to spend an evening in the capital of the country.
Introduction of chartered flights by GoAir from Bengaluru to Port Blair optimizes time for travellers from January 2016 onwards. The first flight took off from Bengaluru on January 20 before midnight, and landed at Port Blair airport at 01:50 hrs. The air carrier has decided to operate three night flights in this sector in January, five night flights in February and six night flights in March. This takes care of the heavy traffic of tourists that want to visit the cluster of serene islands off Port Blair, in the Andaman Sea. All flights will arrive at Port Blair from Bengaluru at 1.50 am and depart for Bengaluru from Port Blair VSI Airport at 2.20 am. When the summer schedule rolls out in end of March, GoAir will also start operating its first ever daily direct flights to Port Blair from Bengaluru in the day. The Andaman Islands are popular for their pristine beaches, snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities in the magical corals off the shores. A number of travellers visit here in the winters to get sun, sand and an insight into the most farflung part of India.
Improving connectivity to remote, but remarkable tourism destinations in the North East of the country is the focus for the Tourism Ministry this year. The state of Sikkim is all set to get its own airport in Pakyong, 35 km away from the capital, Gangtok. The airport will be inaugurated by the end of the year in 2016. Road connectivity is yet another agenda, which is key to enhancing the North East experience for travellers. The announcement was made at the 4th International Tourism Mart (ITM), a trade fair that is organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism in association with the Northeastern states. With gargantuan efforts being made to showcase the rich and untapped potential of the Northeastern states, this only means that this is a whole new dimension of India for world travellers to explore. Sikkim was declared the first 100% organic state in the country in January and has a massive potential for travellers to enjoy a pristine Himalayan base, which is an excellent pick for trekking and adventure. The cleanliness and ‘no smoking drive’ of Sikkim have pegged it as one of the best destinations for the year 2016.
Thailand’s Absolute Hotel Services (AHS) is rapidly expanding its high-end Eastin hotel brand in the country, with the launch of a new property in Darjeeling in the eastern state of West Bengal. Kurseong is a low-key destination but holds the promise of many wonders – tea estates, a stunning countryside, great weather and remnants of British history in India. Located on top of a mountain and surrounded by stunning views of the valleys and foothills of Kurseong, the hotel will open its doors in April 2016. Kurseoing is known as the land of white orchids and is relatively unexplored by the travellers. The hotel promises to amp up the infrastructure for this unassuming town, ensuring footfalls to one of the most gorgeous destinations of the east. The property will offer a total of 100 stay options, consisting of rooms and suites. It will also have a signature all day dining restaurant, a vegetarian restaurant, lounge bar, café on the terrace, banquet and meeting centre for the MICE market. A wellness centre, including one double and two spa treatment rooms, foot massage, Ayurvedic massage, gym, meditation and yoga classes is on the cards. This is not the first property of the AHS group. A collection of Eastin, Eastin Easy and U Hotels are already present in several locations across India. A standardized experience from the house of AHS brings credible services to the guest. This particular property is a re-branded Eastin Hotel Kurseong, Darjeeling, from its earlier name Eastin Easy Kurseong Darjeeling. It is the first international 4-star deluxe resort hotel in Kurseong.
The lake city of Udaipur has yet another stalwart in the hospitality sector with Radisson Udaipur having opened its doors to welcome guests. The city already has a large array of highend hotels that cater to guests. Radisson’s foray into the destination, enhances the infrastructure by many folds. The hotel is located in the heart of Udaipur at the Lake City Mall. The Chief Executive Officer, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, said, “Radisson Udaipur is our second hotel in the city of Udaipur and we are honoured to be partnering with Riddhi Siddhi Group for this beautiful addition to our portfolio of 75 operational hotels and 45 under various stages of development.” This is the maiden hospitality venture in India by the Riddhi Siddhi Group. Radisson Udaipur offers 56 well-appointed rooms and suites with central heating and cooling. This is much needed as the city faces both harsh summers and a taste of desert like winters. All rooms have amenities like workstation, cordless phone, LED satellite television, tea/coffee maker, electronic safe and Dove amenities. In addition, all rooms feature free Wi-Fi Internet access for guests to keep connected. The hotel also features flexible meeting spaces including a banquet hall measuring above 3,000 sq. ft., one multi-cuisine restaurant, a Lounge Bar, 24-hour In-Room dining service and a Fitness Centre. The All Day Dining restaurant – Season’s Café at the hotel, serves mouth-watering Indian and continental cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner and drinks. A relaxing dip in the swimming pool or sweating it out at the gym is on the cards after a day of sightseeing. Udaipur holds a large draw for travellers to Rajasthan and is a key city on the circuit. Extensive services hold a great charm for travellers who want take it slow and explore areas around Udaipur as well.