A Sojourn in Alwar

Alwar, in regal Rajasthan, is three and a half hours drive from Delhi. It is perched in the foothills of the Aravalli Mountains and has breathtaking landscapes comprising lakes, forts, palaces and thick forests. Its origins can be traced way back to 1500 BC when it was a part of Viratnagar but its more contemporary history lies in its Rajput era during the 18th-century. Visit the aesthetically significant cenotaph of Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh, the striking Bala Qila (Alwar Fort), Alwar’s City Palace as well as the local museum with its expansive collection of weapons, sculptures and paintings. Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy a game drive in Sariska Tiger Reserve located close by. It is home to Royal Bengal tigers, leopard, deers, four-horned antelope, wild boar, hyena and diverse avifauna. A few medieval forts here, have been beautifully restored into heritage hotels. For guests seeking luxurious accommodation, our favourite is Amanbagh.

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Community Lunch at Golden Temple

Edging past millions of devotees, you come across the pious taking holy dips in the divine pool at Amritsar’s Sri Harmandir Sahib (also known as the Golden Temple), the most important and gleaming beacon of the Sikhs. Our specialist will give a short and interesting discourse on Sikhism, its principles and the holy book “Guru Granth Sahib”. Special arrangements will be made for our guests to enter the main temple to offer prayers. Later, guests will be taken behind the scenes on a tour of the community kitchen – langar – where close to 100,000 people are served free vegetarian meals daily, regardless of their caste and creed. The barriers imposed upon humanity by religion and other social distinctions are eradicated as everyone sits together to dine. Such humility is, indeed, a moving experience and certainly makes one ponder on this extraordinary feat of sustaining the principles of community service. Should guests wish, they will be given the opportunity to volunteer— to cook, serve and clean at the community kitchen. 

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For the Love of Lucknow

Lucknow has iconic Mughal architecture - it retains vestiges of the colonial era - Lucknow’s Awadhi cuisine is legendary, as are its ittars (local perfumes) - its embroidered textiles are coveted around the world – many, thus, proclaim that Lucknow is an emotion sprinkled with old world charm and rich culture. Breathe in the essence of the historic city on a Heritage Walk exploring the stunning monuments, old streets laden with stories and relics of the Raj while you are regaled with anecdotes of the bygone centuries. Another pride of the city is its food. Every gourmand’s dream come true, street food here comes in the form of succulent kebabs marinated to perfection, vegetarian selections that are as delicious as their non-vegetarian counterparts and desserts bursting with flavours. When not gorging on local gourmet delights or taking in the sights of Lucknow, immerse yourself in its culture. Enjoy a mesmerizing Kathak performance, join a Nawab or a prominent local family for high tea and hear stories about his illustrious family, partake in a textile workshop, and later buy some to take home with you.

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The Leopards and Shepherds of Jawai

A couple of hours from Jodhpur, Leopard country beckons with its arid yet stunning landscapes interspersed with hills and cliffs, colourfully head-geared tribal members with their herds of animals and, of course, leopards, to be found in the rocky hills dotting the countryside. The monochrome of the rugged terrains of Jawai is nicely broken by the vivid red turbans of the Rabari tribesmen, a semi-nomadic community, and their cattle, and infrequent grasslands. During safaris with an expert naturalist, you learn about this harmonious co-existence of man and beast - beasts who roam freely in the terrains, moving in and out of the caves in the hills which seem to be their lair, however there never has been any instance of these leopards attacking the humans. The peaceful felines are comfortable with humans in their vicinity; they feed on sheep, goats and other domestic animals, and are effectively camouflaged in their surroundings. It is a treat to see them in their natural habitat, seemingly relaxed.

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Special Offers in Kerala

God’s Own Country, Kerala, is a melting pot of millennia-old culture and history that is just as old, rich heritage, Ayurveda, wildlife, pristine beaches, serene backwaters, divine gourmet options and verdant lushness. Embark on a journey packed with all these and much more.

A host of exclusive benefits await guests of A&K India in this beautiful state. Click here to find out more.

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Upcoming Festivals in India

Yet another way to explore India’s rich culture is through its colourful festivals held all over the country. More than halfway through the year, and we are still left with plenty of festivals, religious and otherwise, to partake in the merriment amid gaiety and joie de vivre. October begins with the organised chaos that are the Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata. Kolkata comes alive with an onslaught of colours, sounds and smells as the city in its entirety descends upon its streets to join in on this carnival of life. Visit the Potter’s Colony where the idols are made for religious purposes, go pandal hopping, sample street food. Alternately, you may opt to be a part of the celebrations in rural Bengal.

Diwali comes after Durga Puja. The festival of Light is best enjoyed in the northern states with delectable desserts, firecrackers and great gusto. A few days after Diwali, the ghats (banks) of Varanasi are illuminated with tens of thousands of diyas in the evening, on the occasion of Dev Deepawali. While the artificial lights are switched off in the evening, the ghats come alive aided by the glimmering, golden luminescence creating a mystical yet celebratory auras. Livestock exhibitions, folk performances, bizarre and fun competitions, handicraft exhibitions, Pushkar Camel Fair, held in November, is yet another mélange showcasing the folk-essence of India.

Moving towards the far-eastern corner of India, the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland takes place in December. Scores of local tribes put on cultural displays in their typical garbs, exhibit their art and craft, play indigenous games and sports and much more. The same month, travel to Gujarat to experience folk displays of a different dimension under the vast and clear firmament that is further highlighted by bright white salt marshes spread over vast land in the Kutch area of the beautiful state.

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