Are you yearning for some time off from the hustle and bustle of city life? Some place, nice and serene, away from the noise, pollution and hassle of city life?
Whether it’s school holidays or you’ve finally decided to take a break from your job, you need a place to unbend a little and let your hair down. Well then, what are you waiting for? Depending on what your poison is – trekking or hiking, sightseeing or visiting temples, enjoying nature in the hills or lazing in the sun at the sun-soaked beaches – India can offer it.
Let’s take a peek at what India has to offer. Okay, you love the sun and sand and have been to Ipanema, French Riviera or Ibiza (in your dreams) why not make it real? In the south are fabulous beaches complete with gentle lapping waves and swaying palms.
World in my Pocket [Illustration by Shiju George]
If you’re travelling with kids, the beaches on the western coast of India – the Kerala and Goa beaches – are a great option. The shallow coast stretches out for about a mile before dipping to greater depths, which makes it easy for non-swimmers and children to enjoy getting into the water without worrying about going under.
From the beaches to the shore temples. Marina and the beaches of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu complete with shore temples built between 5-8 centuries by the Pallava kings. India is a land of festivals. Festivals imply colourful events and people from all over congregate at a particular place to celebrate. So on Janmashtami day, a festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, a good place to be is either Dwarka, the birthplace of Krishna, or at Mathura or Vrindavan. Similarly Christmas in Goa is an unforgettable experience.
If you wish to avoid the religious affairs then India offers some great secular fairs and festivals scattered throughout the year. You can start the year by visiting Jaisalmer in Rajashtan for the spectacular Desert Festival. From Rajasthan, you travel towards the east and stop at Allahabad or Rishikesh in Uttar Pradesh to be part of the Kumbh mela. This year is one of the most auspicious. The kumbh takes place only once in 12 years and this is the first one this millennium.
From Uttar Pradesh, you continue till you hit Orissa in June-July to attend the Rath Yatra (car festival) in which huge wooden carts carry the temple deity Lord Jagganath in a procession around the city. Travel southward to Kerala in August to see the Nehru Cup Snake boat races (called the Chundanvallom) in the backwaters of Allapuzha. Moving northward hit Kullu in Himachal Pradesh in September to see the Festival of the gods; the Camel Fair at Pushkar in Rajasthan; and the Dussehra festival in West Bengal.
If archaeology or unusual buildings and forts interest you, India has more than its fair share. Throughout Rajasthan you can see the Rajput forts and palaces from Jaipur’s Lake palace, Chittorgarh, Bundi, Jaisalmer, Kota and Amber forts; In Madhya Pradesh there is Mandu, in Maharashtra the impressive Bijapur and Golconda forts. Then there are the unusual like the Bada Imambara at Lucknow which has a maze built within; the shaking minarets of Ahmedabad, the Gol Gumbaz, Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri etc.
If you are in the city and want some family oriented fun, there are amusement and theme parks like Esselworld in Mumbai or Appu Ghar in Delhi that offers safe entertainment for children. From roller coaster rides to water slides to merry-go-rounds and ferris wheels, these places are especially for children from three years onward.
Irrespective of whether it is for a day, a week or month, when travelling with family, it is a good idea to make bookings in advance and plan at least a part of the vacation before you set off. For the rest, enjoy the unexpected and the unusual, for often that is where the most fun lies.
