Lynn is giving a talk called “ESSENCE OF INDIA” in which she will offer a whistle stop tour of India in some of her photographs. The talks will be on Thusday February 2nd at 3pm and on Sunday February 5 at 11am.

Please come along and enjoy the views!

We look forward to meeting you all at both shows.

Indian Wildlife

When most people think of Indian wildlife they instantly think “TIGER.” Whilst these beautiful cats are the main draw for tourists there is plenty of other wildlife to keep you interested whilst you wait for the “striped gentleman” to reveal himself.

Leopards can be seen throughout India but to catch a glimpse of a snow leopard or clouded leopard you would have to head for the mountains of Ladakh, Kashmir or into Nepal.

The Asiatic Lion, a shaggier version of its African cousin, can only be seen in the Gir Forest in Gujurat in western India. This state is also the home to two other rare mammals, the Blackbuck ( at Velavadar Reserve, 240km north east of Gir) and the Asiatic Wild Ass ( at Dhrangadhra Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch.)

As well as the Blackbuck being unique to the Indian subcontinent, there is also the Chausingha ( four horned antelope,) the Nilgai ( Blue Bull) and the sloth bear. The sloth bear is quite difficult to spot given its nocturnal nature but there is a chance in the main parks. There is also a rehabilitation centre for bears just outside Agra where dancing bears and mistreated bears rescued by the charity Wildlife SOS, www.wildlifesos.org are taken to recover. They have another bear sanctuary in Bangalore and a leopard rescue centre in Maharashtra.

Wild dogs can be seen roaming the grasslands of Kanha and this national park in Madhya Pradesh is now the main location to see Barasingha, the swamp deer pushed to the edge of extinction.

Another symbol of India is the Asian elephant which can be seen throughout India plodding through the streets scattering auto rickshaws in its path! You have a good chance to see them in the wild in Kerala ( Periyar) and Karnataka (Nagarole) in the south and in the north at Corbett and Assam.

Kaziranga National Park in Assam, as well as being the home to wild elephant is also famous for its one horned Rhinoceros population and wild water buffalo. It is also a fantastic place to see wetland birds, an alternative location to visiting Keoladeo in Bharatpur in Rajasthan.

India is a bird watcher’s paradise, whether it is in the foothills of the Himalayas, the central parks of Madhya Pradesh, the expanse of the Thar Desert and Rajasthan or the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills of the south. One estimate suggests there are 1250 bird species, around 12% on the world population.

If marine life appeals it is possible to see gharials and Gangetic dolphins in the Chambal river just outside Agra, with fantastic birdwatching too and makes a quiet excursion from the Golden Triangle. Another interesting place to visit is the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust on the south east coast of India where you can also do field trips with the Irula snake catchers.

For a final “hands on” wildlife idea why not get down and dirty at the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station in Karnataka in south India. It was set up 6 years ago to research the King Cobra which thrives in this part of India. It is a real working field station so don’t expect 5 star treatment but does offer the opportunity to learn about various aspects of the rainforest first hand. It can easily be incorporated into a tour of Karnataka and Kerala, British Airways fly directly into Bangalore.

If you have a desire to see any of these animals or create a tailor made Indian wildlife adventure of your own; Contact us on 0141 535 2418 and we will be happy to help. Or come and chat to LYNN STEWART at: Wildlife Expo October 14 and 15 at Alexandra Palace Destinations Shows Manchester January 19-22 at Event City London February 2-5 at Earls Court, she will be happy to help.

LYNN STEWART, who is leading a Tigers and Taj Mahal by Moonlight tour beginning in late February,  will be at the stand to answer all your wildlife questions and anything regarding tigers,  Kanha and Bandhavgarh , the two parks we are visiting on our tour.

www.wildlifexpo.com

The tour has been created to offer guests the chance to enjoy some of the experiences which make India “Indian.”  We will share in Diwali celebrations, witness morning prayers from a boat on the Ganges and evening prayers close to the priests. Go shopping in the city bazaars and peek behind closed doors. Sleep in a luxury tent and take a camel safari into the desert for a sundowner. LYNN STEWART will accompany the group. Come to STAND AP27 at Destinations London to discuss all the details with her and book your place, since spaces are limited. Or  EMAIL NOW  lynn@escapetoindia.co.uk .

A SPECIAL JOURNEY TO ENJOY THE DIWALI FESTIVAL AND THE PUSHKAR CAMEL FAIR October 25th to November 7th

From time immemorial, India has caught the imagination of travellers, drawn by its exotic colours, its diversity of culture, traditions and religion, its rich history and above all its enduring sense of mystery. This classical journey unravels some of the major influences which have shaped this remarkable region as we seek to capture the ESSENCE of INDIA.

 We begin in the historic capital Delhi and then take a flight to the shores of the sacred river Ganges to visit the holy city of Varanasi. We return to Delhi and then proceed to Agra to view the majestic Taj Mahal, the sandstone buildings at Fatehpur Sikri, the “Pink City” of Jaipur and the most colourful and famous festival in Rajasthan at Pushkar.

  Programme at a Glance:    Delhi- Varanasi- Agra- Jaipur- Pushkar- Delhi.
  Duration:                                       14 days.
  Highlights:                                    Diwali celebrations in Delhi,

                                                                   sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, 

                                                                   evening aarti in Varanasi , 

                                                                   sunset visit to the Taj Mahal, 

                                                                   a meander through the bazaars of Jaipur, 

                                                                   all the fun of the fair at the Pushkar Festival .

Day 01 / 25th October 2011            Depart U.K.
 

Day 02 / 26th October 2011            Arrive Delhi.

Arrive Delhi from UK. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to pre-booked hotel. Rest of the day to relax. In the afternoon you could stroll in the park, do some shopping or visit a museum or two. The choice is yours!
                                                                                                   Overnight in hotel.
Day 03 / 27th October 2011            Delhi.

Today we drive to Old Delhi. Shah Jahan founded the city of Shahjanabad, now referred to as Old Delhi, in 1648. The famous Red Fort in the heart of Old Delhi was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire and it boasts the Diwan-I-Am, Hall of Private Audience. Opposite the fort is the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan to dominate his city, we also visit the bustling bazaar of Chandni Chowk.                                                                                                                                                                             Overnight in hotel.
 

Day 04/ 28th October 2011            Delhi- Varanasi ( FLY)

After early breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to the sacred city of Varanasi. Afternoon free or take an optional excursion, a cultural heritage walk through the back alleyways of the City, exploring behind closed doors!  Attend the evening Aarti Ceremony on the  Ganges.                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                     Overnight in hotel.
 

Day 05 / 29th October 2011             Varanasi

After breakfast take an excursion to Sarnath about 15 kms away. It is one of Buddhism’s major centres in India. When Buddha had gained enlightenment at Bodhgaya, the Buddha came to the deer park at Sarnath and delivered his first sermon. Later to Varanasi. Afternoon sightseeing of Varanasi, including World famous Benaras Hindu University, Tulsi Manas temple and Bharat Mata temple. Evening free.         �
                                                                                                   Overnight in hotel.
Day 06 / 30th October 2011            Varanasi – Delhi ( FLY) .

Early morning sunrise boat ride in river Ganges, with walk back through streets.  Return to hotel for breakfast. Afternoon transfer to airport fly back to Delhi. (ETD 13.40 hrs ETA 15.00 Hrs).
                                                                                                    Overnight in hotel.
Day 07 / 31st October 2011             Delhi – Agra  

After breakfast drive to Agra (220kms / 4 hours), on arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit to Red Fort. Akbar began work on Agra Fort in 1565, with additions to the citadel  made through to the time of Akbar’s grandson, Shah Jahan (King of the World). The fort has fine views of the Taj across the River Yamuna, and consists of Deewani – Aam (hall of public ordinances) and Deewan- Khass (the hall of Private ordinances), it also has a nice grape garden and beautiful fountains. Later, guided tour of the Taj Mahal, built as a monument of eternal love by Shah Jahan to his bride Mumtaz. The Taj Mahal looks amazingly graceful from almost any angle. It was built over a period of 20 years by 20000 laborers and craftsmen.  Evening free to relax.
                                                                                                   Overnight in hotel.

Day 08 / 01st November  2011      Agra – Jaipur     

Early morning visit to see the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River. Later, back to hotel and after breakfast drive to Jaipur  (about 240kms/ 05-06hrs.) En route visit Fatehpur Sikri the Ghost city of Mughals. After lunch at Bharatpur drive on to Jaipur. On arrival, check into the hotel and relax.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Overnight in hotel

Day 09 / 02nd November 2011        Jaipur

This morning we drive to nearby Amber, ascending by elephant (subject to availability) to see the 16th century hilltop fortress palace and its richly decorated apartments. Amber was the ancient Rajput capital and its fort palace was begun by Raja Man Singh and used by the Rajputs as their stronghold until Sawai Jai Singh II moved to the newly created city of Jaipur. We will visit the palace and its many intricate chambers and hallways, which have breathtaking views of the Jal Mahal (Water palace) below.  In the afternoon we visit the City Palace, still inhabited by Jai Singh’s descendants. It is a superb fusion of  Rajput and Mughal architecture. A city within a city, it includes the Govind Deo Temple, the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory and the Maharaja’s museum with his personal collection of  weaponary, miniature paintings,  royal attire and jewellery. On the periphery of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, an elaborate pink sandstone façade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below.
                                                                                                 Overnight in hotel.
Day 10 / 03rd November 2011           Jaipur – Pushkar

After breakfast we drive to Pushkar (about 145 kms/3 hrs). Check into camp and in the late afternoon visit the only Brahma  temple  in the world and Pushkar Lake.  Wander through the streets enjoying the festival atmosphere.                                                                                                       Overnight in Camp                                                                                                                  

 Day 11 / 04th November 2011       Pushkar 

After breakfast enjoy Pushkar Camel Fair. Day at leisure.             Overnight in Camp.

Pushkar Fair       Pushkar Fair is the world’s largest camel fair, held in the holy town of Pushkar in Rajasthan. This Camel Fair, a festival of sound and colour, is held annually on the banks of Lake Pushkar. Nestling on the edge of the desert, this small place transforms itself from a peaceful, rural community, into a vast tented village with a lively, colourful and noisy market place. Competitions such as the “Matka Phod”, “moustache”, and “bridal competition” are the main attractions of this fair, which attract thousands of tourists. A highlight of one’s holiday in India, the festival hosts around 50,000 camels, which are sold, decorated, shaved and raced. Bet you never knew a camel could look so good!

Day 12 / 05th November 2011       Pushkar

After breakfast enjoy the camp, revisit the Fair or meander around Pushkar yourself.
                                                                                                    Overnight  in Camp.
Day 13 / 06th November 2011       Pushkar – Ajmer – Delhi ( Train).

After breakfast drive to Ajmer (about 01 hr) and see the city before boarding train for Delhi  ( ETD 15.50 hrs ETA 22.40 hrs). On arrival check in to hotel.  Overnight in  hotel.

Day 14 / 07th November 2011       UK – Delhi ( Fly)

After breakfast transfer to international airport to board flight back home..

The family flew to Goa on Christmas Eve where they stayed at the Leela for a week. We organised some presents for them to open on Christmas Day and since it was Dad Ashwin’s “special birthday”  we chose a  murti (statue) of Krishna to give him as a special surprise.

Ajay, aged 10, has very kindly offered to write a blog for us and to share his unforgettable experience. 

   Everest flight! 

 The view of the Himalayas was just fantastic. We had to wake up at 6am to catch a plane that would take us around the Himalayas to see the mountains including Everest. However, when we got to Kathmandu airport we found that there was really thick fog, so no planes could take off. We waited 3 hours for the fog to clear and then it was finally time to board the plane and start our journey to the mountains. The plane was very small it could only hold about 14 people which meant we all had a window to ourselves! As we took off I was really exited to see the biggest mountain in the world, as we got closer to Everest the pilot would call us out one by one to the cockpit to have a much clearer view. He explained where all the mountains were and pointed out to us exactly where Everest was- it was amazing to see it so close! I also found the controls and watching how the pilots flew the plane fascinating. It wasn’t just Everest that stunned me, but all the other mountains as well because there were so many of them. Looking down I could also see a mini pool at the bottom of one of the mountains and thick layers of snow on the peaks. It was such an experience to see the worlds biggest mountain and one which I will never forget!

                                                                   By Ajay

We live up to our slogan “India …with a helping hand”

We will meet you at the airport and take you to your first night’s accommodation and when it’s all over we’ll take you back to fly home.

We can provide a car and driver for your convenience and guides to show you around.

We will take you to your train and wait until it arrives. Take you to your seat and get you settled. Then we’ll be at your destination to help you get off safely and start the next adventure.

We can book hotels, homestays, guest houses, safari lodges and houseboats, even the odd ashram.

We can book internal flights, flights to see Everest, trains, toy trains, boats on the Ganges, camel safaris, horse safaris and white water rafting.

We can book your tickets to see the Taj Mahal by sunrise, sunset and by moonlight.

We can organise the little surprises which make your holiday special, candles on the houseboat on your honeymoon, a bouquet of roses and cake for your birthday surprise, bangles and scarf for a Christmas treat, even a bottle of beer with a marigold garland!

We can book your jungle safari, although we can’t always book the tigers!

We will take your mobile number in India and Lynn will give you hers so you can share all the good times and we can sort any problems.

When you travel around India the phrase you will often hear is “NO PROBLEM!”  with Escape to India we try to satisfy all your needs…no problem.

The climate is also perfect for the cultivation of rice which provides the staple food at every  Keralan meal.  Popular breakfasts enjoyed throughout the south include dosas  which are  large thin  crepes  made of rice and lentil flour and idlis , small  rice flour pancakes,  both eaten with coconut chutney and sambar, a spicy sauce.

As you head for the hills the humid, lush conditions are perfect for growing coffee, tea and the spices for which Kerala is famous;  like cardamon, cinnamon and pepper which is indigenous to Kerala.  Pepper is  often referred to as the “King of spice” or “black gold” and its abundance was the main attraction for Europeans in the 15th century (Vasco  Da Gama  first landed in India in 1498) to colonise in an attempt to break the Arab monopoly of the spice trade. The availability of spice means that southern cuisine is generally simpler, lighter and more spicy than the food of its northern neighbours.

However as I toured Kerala in September it became apparent  that  Keralan  cooking  has distinct regional variations and is heavily influenced  by its numerous religious and caste communities with their own unique dishes, adapted to the local produce.

The Moppila cuisine of north Kerala reflects a strong Muslim community. There are a lot of non vegetarian dishes influenced by the traders who first landed here hundreds of years ago.  The Malabar biriyani is a speciality, rice baked in clay pots with saffron and turmeric, whole spices, meat and often a hard boiled egg , accompanied by date chutney and black tea or suleimani  reflecting  the  Arabic roots.
 

In Central Kerala, the colonial influence of the Portuguese (who introduced the chilli), Dutch and British and a large Christian population, has led to non vegetarian food with strong coconut flavours.  Dishes  like eshtew, a meat stew flavoured with coconut, cinnamon, ginger, pepper and chillis and kozhi curry, a chicken curry are favourites within the community.  Appams are steamed pancakes particularly loved by the Syrian – Christians which are served with the stews, notably with lamb for the traditional Easter meal.

The Hindu majority in the south means food is vegetarian.  Upper caste members, like the Namboodiris, and  people of a high social standing follow a strict vegetarian diet which is associated with purity.  There is also an underlying Ayurvedic  principle which provides a mix of sweet , sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent in just the right balance to bring the body and mind  into equilibrium and harmony (rasa.)

Throughout Kerala fishing has a long tradition and fish and seafood are still amongst Kerala’s main exports.  Karimeen is a river fish, eventually caught by Gordon Ramsay during his “Great Escape” to India last year !  Karimeen pollichathu  marinades the fish in spices and steam bakes it in a banana leaf.  Another traditional Malayali fish dish is moillee, a delicious curry in which slices of fish (Kingfish is ideal) are simmered in coconut juice, green chillis, ginger and curry leaves. Delicious!  

 See a recipe below from Tony, the fantastic chef at Neeleshwar Hermitage in North Kerala. Better still, spend a few days soaking up the glorious Keralan sunshine and let him show you how to cook exquisite dishes .

A fun way to enjoy a new culinary experience is to actually roll up your sleeves and learn from the experts. We can organise for you to stay in homestays and hotels and to actually get into the kitchen. Start the day with a visit to the fruit, vegetable or fish markets to source the freshest ingredients and sample some new things. Then bring them home and learn some new tricks in the kitchen to impress friends and family back home. It’s a wonderful way to have a holiday in beautiful, exotic locations and to learn something new about a different culture and cuisine.

Cooking classes can also be arranged in other regions within India.

We have two ladies, Palvi and Anjana, who will be giving a cooking demonstration at the London Destinations Travel Show on Sunday February 6th at 1.30pm. Please come to see them and if they have whetted your appetite visit our Stand AP27 to discuss cooking classes in Kerala and beyond…

TRAVANCORE FISH CURRY

Chef Tony at Neeleshwar Hermitage, Kerala

 White fish                500g
Coconut Oil               50g
Mustard Seed            15g
Fenugreek Seed          5g
Curry Leaves              5g
Garlic                         50g  Chopped
Green Chilli               25g  Chopped
Ginger                       25g
Tomato                    150g  Chopped
Onion                       150g
Chilli Powder               5 g
Tamarind                   15 g
Tumeric  Powder        10g
Salt                              5 g
Coconut Milk             200g

1. Cut fish into cubes.
2. Heat oil and crackle seeds and curry leaves.
3. Add chopped chillies, ginger and  garlic. Cook.
4. Add onions and sauté. Then add tomatoes.
5. Add chilli powder and turmeric and add a little water. Bring to the boil.
6. Add cubed fish and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
7. Add tamarind pulp and coconut milk
8. Reduce until thick and serve hot with rice.

Carol from Peckham won the Golden Triangle prize and travelled with Andy to India in August.  They stayed in some 4 and 5 star hotels during their trip and had their own AC chauffeur driven car which was essential since it was monsoon season.  It was hot during the day and rained at night.  The advantage of travelling off season was there were fewer crowds,  so the Taj Mahal was uncluttered with camera wielding tourists and touts!
 Carol texted me to say the Taj was definitely a highlight of the trip. It rarely disappoints!  She was so impressed that she returned with Escape to India in November and teemed up with Elsie to tour the southern states of India . A blog will follow soon of their adventures!  Thelma and Louise head for India?

Indians love to party….weddings, birthdays, holy days, holidays, festivals, any excuse to dress up, slip on the gold bangles and kick off the shoes.
The three major ones celebrated throughout India are:

Holi   the Festival of Colours, usually held at the end of February or the beginning of March, depending on the full moon. It can get quite boisterous as everyone takes great delight in throwing coloured powder and water at each other. Old clothes strongly recommended!!

Diwali   the magical  Festival of Lights  is usually held in November. It lasts for 5 days and like Holi and Dussehra it symbolises the triumph of good over evil, light over dark and is marked by people lighting clay lamps and candles and placing them around their homes. Fireworks and firecrackers are always released, the louder the better!!

Dussehra is celebrated in style in Mysore in Karnataka. The beautiful City Palace is illuminated every night for a month during the festival, usually held in October. Caparisoned elephants lead a colourful procession through the gaily decorated streets of this usually quiet city. There is a torch lit parade too with music and dancing.

Some festivals are very specific to either a city or a region. Two states which celebrate in style are Kerala and Rajasthan.

KERALA

In Kerala the main festival is Onam which heralds the harvest season. It lasts for 10 days and occurs during August /September. It is a mixture of elephant processions, classical and folk dancing and music.

 Two interesting events during Onam are the Puli Kali,  a popular folk art, dance of the tigers. Performers paint their bodies like a tiger and prowl around to the loud beat of percussion instruments, accompanied by a hunter and a drummer. Thank you to Marc Sprengers for the photograph.

The other is the Aranmula Vallankali , a boat race held on the river Pamba, which has its religious roots associated with the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. In olden times vegetables, cereals and other food used in the Grand Onam Feast were transported by a long procession of  snake boats.  To commemorate this ritualistic journey to the Temple, the Aranmula Vallamkali race is conducted. It is more symbolic than competitive like some of the other races during the season. Traditionally dressed rowers, along with 25 singers, retrace the route. Sit near the Temple to get the best view.
Many snake boat races take place as the southwest monsoon starts to recede in July/ August. Each village has its own boat ( chundan vallam) which is raced with pride against other villages.  The boats are 100-120 feet long and narrow  ( like a snake) and they hold around 100 oarsmen who splash their oars together in time with the rhythmic chants and beats of the drummers and singers also aboard.  Before the race, the boats parade in front of the crowds with colourful beaded umbrellas held high, making a stunning contrast to the ebony black snake boats.  However the carnival atmosphere disappears as the starter’s flag goes up and the oarsmen are poised to go. Once the flag drops there is a frenzy of action and spray and the crowd erupts with roars of encouragement. You can almost feel the adrenaline surging through your own body!
Preparations start weeks in advance when the boat is smeared in sardine oil to help it slip through the water and the best oarsmen in the village are picked and begin strict training. On practice days local residents provide mass feasts for the participants and a refreshing feature is that Hindus, irrespective of caste, Christians and Muslims all eat together in harmony, totally focussed on a common cause,  the honour and pride of their village.
The main boat race of the season is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, traditionally held on the 2nd Saturday in August. It is a spectacular event held in Alleppey in memory of India’s late Prime Minister. It is a popular tourist event and best viewed from afloat…but bring a brolly, it’s still monsoon time!

RAJASTHAN

 
The Pushkar Fair is the largest cattle fair in the world. The small religious town of Pushkar is transformed during the 12 day cultural, trading and religious event held annually in October/ November. Thousands of devotees take a dip in the holy lake in the town which has 1 of only 2 temples devoted to Lord Brahma in India. The livestock fair coincides with these religious celebrations.
Goats and sheep, camels and cattle are bought and sold. Rajasthani men and women, dressed in their “Sunday best,” mix with saffron robed sadhus (wise men) smeared with ash. There are stalls selling bangles and necklaces of glass beads, brass pots and pottery, textiles from Jaipur. For entertainment there are camel races, puppet shows, snake charmers and palm readers, dancers , magicians and musicians. If you want to immerse yourself in the whole atmosphere you can stay in luxury tents and wake to the sights and sounds of the desert. In November 2011 we are organising a small, exclusive photographic trip to visit the Fair and and the Golden Triangle.

The 3 day Desert Festival takes place in Jaisalmer in February amid a riot of colour. There are fire dancers, a turban tying competition, camel racing and even a Mr Desert competition! A spectacular sound and light show features folk artists performing against the backdrop of the famous Sam sand dunes on the night of a full moon.

In Udaipur the Mewar Festival welcomes the advent of spring and coincides with the festival of Gangaur in March / April. This is a very significant festival for the ladies of Rajasthan where single girls seek the blessing of a good husband and married women pray for the health and welfare of their husband. In Udaipur a procession of colourfully attired women carry images of the Goddess Gauri to the Gangaur ghat on Lake Pichola. The images are then transferred to special boats on the lake and it all ends in an impressive firework display.

Other festivals around the country…..

Every January the Jaipur Literature Festival 21-25 Jan 2011 www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org  is held, featuring poetry, music and dance with workshops and exhibitions making it one of the leading literary events in Asia. In the past famous writers like Ian McEwan, Salman Rushdie and Kiran Desai have attended. It can be incorporated in a Golden Triangle Tour.
Calcutta has its own Kolkata Book Fair held late January/early February and is the third largest in the world after Frankfurt and London. Each year there is a themed country and it was Scotland’s turn in 2009 where her literary and cultural heritage were highlighted. In 2011 the focus is USA.

India’s cultural heritage is celebrated around the country.

In Chennai (Madras), in Tamil Nadu, the Chennai Music and Dance Festival showcases the Carnatic dance traditions of the south.

Olivia

 In December, in the Eastern state of Orissa, the world heritage site of the 700 year old Sun Temple stages the Konark Dance Festival with classical music and Odissi, Bharathnatyam, Kathak and Manipuri dancing is performed in an open air auditorium.
In  Rishikesh the International Yoga Week is held in early February with lectures and demonstrations from many famous yoga teachers.

For nature lovers the International Flower Festival in Sikkim is unmissable. It is held in peak flowering season, March to May and features around 600 species of orchids, 150 varieties of gladioli and 46 types of rhododendrons. There are lectures and seminars from experts, a food festival, river rafting and a yak safari for the adventurous!

But in India, wherever you go, whenever you go, there is likely to be a festival going on….at a village near you!