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Author: Aditi

Hornbill Festival Experience in Nagaland

Posted on by Aditi

Nagaland is one of the most beautiful states of India and is a home to different indigenous tribes with their unique culture. People of this state have an affection of celebrating their cultures, deeds of their ancient warriors, etc through various festivals. So, we can call it as “The land of festivals” and the Hornbill festival is the biggest among all these celebrations by the warrior tribes. The local of Nagaland eagerly waits for the Hornbill festival and celebrates it with full enthusiasm every year.

Why is it called Hornbill Festival?
The reason behind the name of this festival is that the bird species “Hornbill” is treated as a symbol of respect and courage by the people of Nagaland and we can see that importance in various folk songs and dances.

Where is it Organized?
The Nagaland Hornbill festival is held at the Naga village which is around 12 Km far from the capital of Nagaland that is “Kohima” and this is the logic behind that it this event is sometimes also called as “Hornbill festival Kohima”.

Events at Hornbill Festival
There are various programs and events held every year at this festival whose main motive is to encourage the peace among all the 17 Naga tribes and boost their traditions, culture, customs, along with protecting their heritage. Besides the traditional performances, this festival include events like Master chef competition, Hornbill international musical festival, rock contest, cycle rally, snooker championship, car rally, amongst others. The main attractions of the festival include the many bands that perform, sometimes from different regions across the country as well. Other than all these, the Hornbill festival events also include a shopping festival, which displays the crafts and products designed by the locals of Nagaland. Cuisine and delicious dishes of the Nagaland served at the festival is an also an important attraction for the tourists.

Anecdotes presents a signature curated tour for the Hornbill Festival every year!

Celebrating Durga Puja

Posted on by Aditi

India, the land of holy places, rituals, festivals and rivers experiences different aspects of life mostly infused with religious rites, gestures and meanings. The seasons are marked with different festivals and the coming of autumn in India especially for the Bengali community marks the beginning of the largest festival, the Durga Puja. Out of the long list of colorful festivals in India, Navratri and Durga Puja are celebrated with a zeal that gives an experience that you will not find anywhere else.

The beauty of this festival can be experienced all over India, and if you are in Kolkata, you are blessed to experience something that you will cherish forever. Durga Pooja rituals start with the unique philharmonic of conch shells, the “UluDhyani” (tongue sounds by Bengali women), the rhythms of drums and the burning of incense along with the charismatic sounds of hymns and prayers mark the Durga Puja Celebration.

The Celebration of Good over Evil
Durga Puja is celebrated to mark the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasur. Durga Puja is celebrated in the last five days of Navratri when it is believed that Goddess Durga leaves her heavenly abode and visits Earth each year. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and it is an occasion where especially the Bengali families come together from round the globe to West Bengal to celebrate with their friends and family.

The Special Durga Puja Pandals
The major attraction of the celebration is the “Pandals”, that is a temporary pavilion made as a place of worship where the different rituals and ceremonies take place. You will find a Pandal in every neighborhood in Kolkata as well as Bengali dominant areas in rest of the India. The beautifully decorated Pandals consist of Goddess Durga with eight or ten arms with the defeated demon beneath. Usually the Goddess idol is accompanied by the idols of Lord Ganesh and Lord Karthik (Goddess Durga’s Sons) and her Daughters Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. The idols are decorated richly with jewelry and flower garlands.

Small or big, the decoration, the zeal and the enthusiasm of celebration is worth experiencing. If you are in Kolkata or any part of West Bengal, be ready to experience some of the best moments of the festival. Durga Puja concludes with the “visarjan” of the idols which means bidding farewell to Goddess Durga immersing the idols in the holy river.

If you are planning to witness this auspicious time of festival, then here is some vital information for you.

Which Time of the Year?
Durga Puja us held around the period of the Dussehra and Diwali festivals in India, expected in the months of October and November.

Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

Posted on by Aditi

If you are looking to trail a tiger or track an elephant, India has the most exciting wildlife parks where you can do so. Its diverse landscape invites you to take a look into its rich wildlife that varies in every region, ensuring a different experience each time. So, put on your ranger’s hat and board this thrilling safari that will bring you a step closer to the country’s exotic wild.

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
The Ranthambore National Park is one of the last sanctuaries where the Royal Bengal Tiger roams free. Spread over 392 sq kms and located just 130 kms away from Jaipur, the deciduous forests of Ranthambore make for great wildlife viewing and though besides the tiger, one can spot other game like sambar, chital and panthers, it is primarily the tiger that one comes here for. Early morning and late afternoon safaris will take you to possible spots where a tiger and some of its cubs may cross your path.

So come to Ranthambore and nine times out of ten you are bound to catch sight of the majestic tiger in all its natural glory. It’s a sight like no other – unique and exciting!

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Sheltered in the Vindhyas of Madhya Pradesh, the Bandhavgarh National Park was the original home of the precious white tigers where they were first sighted in Rewa. The lush greens of this wild paradise are spread across 437 sq. Kms of land. So there’s a lot the wildlife enthusiasts can look forward to. Nilgai, Chinkara and Wild boars are amongst those easily sighted. Spotting a fox could be tricky. The park boasts of a healthy population of tigers which translates into extremely favourable chances of a sighting. Meet all of them and the others at the woods of Bandhavgarh, where pristine nature embraces the wild.

Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Spot the rhino’s head on the map of India and you’ll know where Kaziranga is. Habitat of the one horned rhinoceros, paradise for wild elephants and water buffalos, a prominent tiger reserve and a world heritage site in the state of Assam, the Kaziranga National Park is a haven for the wild. Ride through its meadows and marshes for a tete-a-tete with the Hog deer, sloth bears, capped langoors and some of the largest pythons in the world. Or stick close to its rivers and you’ll probably see the Gangetic Dolphins in full swing. For more, come to Kaziranga and discover some exotic surprises on its wild vistas.

Sunderbans, West Bengal
Enshrined in the swamped mangroves at the tip of Bengal is the kingdom of Royal Bengal tigers known as Sunderbans National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sunderbans are spread over a massive land mass of 4264 sq Kms, disappearing towards the south into the sea. The swamps help you locate the striped beasts seen resting in the estuarine mangroves, escaping the scorching heat. And since you’re there, you may also get to see snakes, crocodiles and fishing cats, all looking forward to preying on tiny marine species. Sunderbans treasure numerous rarities of flora and fauna making it the finest destination for an unmatched wild adventure. So get here and be a part of this unique experience.

Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat
The last preserve of the Asiatic Lion, Gir Wildlife Sanctuary sits at the brink of peninsular Gujarat in the southwestern belt of dry deciduous forests. One of India’s prime wildlife attractions, Gir is a flourishing hub for the big cats, which includes lions as well as leopards. In fact, Gir has the largest number of leopards in the country. The sanctuary’s waters are known to be infested with numerous muggers or marsh crocodiles catering to the reptilian interests of spectators. However, it’s the majestic prides scattered sparsely throughout the sanctuary’s territory that leave visitors awe struck upon an encounter and place Gir in a special category of wildlife conservation centers.

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