The best things about celebrating the New Year are the parties; the champagne, the fun and happy times with friends and family. The worst thing, however, is the icy cold weather you’ll have to drive back home in. How about giving the fog a miss this year and heading to a beautiful, unspoiled beach to ring in the new and ring out the old? While you’re at it, skip the tried and tested popular beaches and get a little adventurous exploring these lesser known beaches this New Year.

Zakynthos Islands, Greece

The Zakynthos Island in the Ionian Sea is home to some of the most beautiful beaches you will set eyes upon. The most famous of these is the Smuggler’s Cove or the Navaggio beach - the site of a 30 year old shipwreck. But when you aggressively plan to do nothing on a New Year vacation, plop yourself down on a sun bed on the Porto Roma beach because there really is nothing to do here (definitely in a good way)! It is a tranquil beach, untouched by developers and most tourists even though it is just 15 Km from Zakynthos town. The beach boasts of no water sports or a lively nightlife but the upside is some much wanted peaceful silence.

Closest Airport: Athens

Varadero Beach, Cuba

Warm inviting waters, more than 300 sunny days a year and white sandy beaches make Varadero a sun worshipper’s haven. Fly in to Varadero, one of the most popular beaches in Cuba and a resort town situated on narrow strip of land 140 Km from the capital city Havana. Celebrate the New Year relaxing on the beach, or walking on the calm, sandy shoreline; scuba diving or playing golf at the nearby Varadero Golf Club.  The beach is clean and not too crowded and there are several good bars and taverns at hand to keep you well hydrated with some ‘holiday fluids’.

Closest Airport: Matanzas

Mafia Island, Zanzibar

If the name is that exciting, can you imagine how invigorating a New Year holiday at the Mafia Island beach would be? A short flight from Zanzibar brings you to the Mafia Island - one of the best kept secrets in the area and one that has a steady and devoted fan following. This little known beach is part of the Tanzanian Spice islands in the Indian Ocean and is an adventure land for nature lovers. The surrounding barrier reef teems with exotic marine life and you could go snorkeling or sailing here to feast your eyes on spectacular corals and sea life. What better way to celebrate the New Year?

Closest Airport: Dar es Salaam

Some other beaches that make for a great New Year vacation are: Paradise Bay in Malta, Zlatni rat beach in Croatia, Praia da Ingrina in Algrave, Portugal and Noirmoutier in Western Loire, France.  Don’t have enough time for a long vacation? Spend the first days of the New Year unwinding at the Tarkarli beach in Sindhudurg district, just a few hours’ drive from Amchi Mumbai.

Well wherever you choose to go, the idea is to make the New Year a memorable one. Tell us how you celebrated the coming of 2013...

Some of the best sights and sounds on the planet are provided by Mother Nature. Pristine beaches, virgin forests and mountains unblemished by urban development are all resources we need to preserve for our progenies. That is why, when you start your yearly ritual of making a list of resolutions, let Green Living be at the top and keep this promise to yourself in the New Year by taking Eco-friendly tours to places rich with biodiversity and natural attractions. Ecotourism simply means sustainable tourism that allows us to witness the gifts of nature with minimal interference. So go green and pick an ecotourism hotspot to welcome 2013.

Kerala

Think of Kerala and unspoiled hilly terrains, coconut groves and tranquility are what come to mind. With its rich flora and fauna along with unique attractions, Kerala is one the fastest growing ecotourism destinations in the country. Go to Kerala to get away from it all and rejuvenate before a new, busy year kicks off. Spend languid days on a boat in the backwaters of Kerala or take an Elephant safari through one of its many wildlife sanctuaries like Parambikulam. Spend a weekend trekking among gorgeous Rhodendrons in the Rhodovalley or Mountain Biking in Thenmala – India’s first planned ecotourism destination.

Get In: Trivandrum

Belize

Fancy swimming with the Whale Shark, kayaking through exotic coral islands and visiting ancient Mayan ruins? If you answered yes, then Belize is the place for you to go to this New Year. Bordered on one side by the 320 km long Belize Barrier Reef, this beautiful Central American country is one of the hottest ecotourism destinations in the world. Belize offers an exciting and adventurous New Year vacation with its amazingly diverse biological ecosystems, tropical rainforests and an interesting terrain. Visit its famous caves, once used by the Mayans as burial grounds, for their incredibly beautiful stalagmite and stalactite formations hanging from the ceilings. Also make a trip to Placencia and snorkel with Whale Sharks and the endangered Nassau Grouper. Belize offers exciting opportunities for swimming, and snorkeling and in the Caribbean Sea and one popular dive spot is the spectacular Blue Hole.

Get In: Belize City

Borneo

For an ultimate adventure trip this New Year, head straight to Borneo and experience the really real wild. Borneo, located in Indonesia and celebrated as the third largest island in the world, is home to one of the oldest rainforests on the planet and holds within its deep recesses hundreds of species of flora and fauna with new ones being discovered even now. A dedicated ecotourism destination, Borneo offer limitless choices to the adventure traveler willing to do her share for the planet’s health. Right from exploring underground rivers in one of its intricate cave systems to following the trail of the severely endangered Bornean Orangutan or hiking up Mount Kinabalu, Borneo packs a big punch for just one island.

Get In: Kuala Lumpur

So, be a good Ecotourist in the New Year and remember the ‘no interference’ bit especially when you visit a fragile ecosystem like in Ecuador, Palau or Alaska.

Have a Super Green Year!

...find out as you read!

So, you must be wondering why I took so long to come up with the next in ‘That’s Strange’ series. Well, I have to tell a tale for that. During my voyage to find the next subject of the bizarre series, I came across a tiny village near Allahabad called Mohammad Umri. And I was stumped! Well, this place is not a maze garden or a replica of Delhi’s Jantar Mantar but a strange town inhabited by many Sitas aur Gitas and Rams aur Shyams. Apologies for the clichéd Bollywood references but that’s the way it is in this sleepy hamlet of Mohammad Umri.

Come and walk in to a land where no cosmetic genius or camera-trick blurs your vision but only real life Double Role exists. Welcome to the ‘village of twins’. And if this was not enough, the twins don the same hairstyles and clothes to add more confusion to this genetic puzzle! Photo Credit: Perumalnadar/Wikimedia Commons

Double Whammy

Globally, it is approximately estimated that only one in every 250 to 300 births bear identical twins. At Mohammad Umri, the numbers are indeed surprising. The villagers claim that one in every 10 births bears twins (mostly identical over fraternal) there. This biological phenomenon has gone up significantly in the last 10-15 years. Scratching their heads and fidgeting with the samples of locals’ body fluids, scientists are still clueless. What exactly is the theory behind this strange DNA? The mystery is under wraps till date...

Twice the Fun

However, the locals nurture a myth to this theory. Feeling blessed, they believe that owing to the rich soil of their land, the ratio of producing twins is relatively high here. Curious to know more, I started talking to a few folks on day one of my visit here. Continuing this chat with their twins the next day, I’m still unsure whether they were the same ones I spoke to the previous day or not. God, they were so similar! The oldest twin in Umri is the identical pair of Guddu and Munnu. One is told that even their wives often get confused despite the many years of marriage. From mothers to policemen, it is but common for residents here to scold or punish the wrong twin.

Now that I’ve packed my bags and am all set to leave this wonderland of sorts, I am a tad worried for I do not want to look like a fool by bidding goodbye twice to the same Guddu and many others!

To reach Mohammad Umri, you can book a flight to Allahabad from the nearest airport. Alternatively, you can take a train to Allahabad and then take a local cab to Mohammad Umri. MakeMyTrip also offers several holiday packages to Allahabad.

If you were looking for a reason to visit beautiful Kerala this year, book your tickets right now! The stage has been set and Kochi is all ready to welcome the vast and varied Indian Diaspora back to its Motherland. The 11^th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will kick-start its three-day long festival celebrations in India at the Le Meridien, Kochi this year. The festival dates are from January 7-9, 2013 and this year’s convention is themed ‘Engaging Diaspora: The Indian Growth Story.’

An event reverberating with success stories of our compatriots, the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is expected to see around 2500 delegates from various walks of life listening to the inaugural address by the Prime Minister and a Valedictory address by the President. This celebratory event in Kochi attracts Indians from all over the globe and this could be your chance to hear their stories of success and survival.  

How it all began

The Indian Diaspora has grown and spread across the world. You can find Indians and people of Indian origin forging ahead in all walks of life in nearly every country in the world today. Most of them have also done their part in helping India grow by increasingly investing in Indian businesses and the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was born out of the need for bringing together this vast spread of Indians on the same platform to address common goals. Since its inception in 2003 in New Delhi, the festival has been hosted each year in different cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Chennai. Last year’s festival in Jaipur saw the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad Bissessar as the chief guest.

Why you’d want to be there

The three day festival convention will see exciting seminars, high-powered networking sessions, cultural evenings and amazing Kerala cuisine to satiate you. You want to be there to be a part of seminars on issues facing NRIs in the Gulf, talks on how tourism is changing the face of the country and how Non-Resident Indians are aiding it as well as seminars on Pure Sciences and Skill Development. You can be part of plenary sessions on interesting topics such as India’s Growth and the unexplored Opportunities; how India’s heritage is internalized by its vast Diaspora and Engaging Young Overseas Indians. More sessions will follow on the third day and will focus on topics such as Investment Opportunities in the US and the hotly debated topic of India as a growing soft power.

The event has been a means of exchanging ideas and views and connecting between the hugely dispersed Diaspora and Indians in India. So, get connected to your roots and head to Kochi to be a part of this new, global India.

With rushed lifestyles slowly engulfing everybody in the modern world today, there exists a dire need for one to relieve stress and meditate.  A true healer in every respect, yoga has the power to rejuvenate your senses and give your body a new lease of life. The goodness of yoga has spread far and wide. Just about everyone wants to come to India and connect with their inner selves. Our country is also reciprocating this interest by hosting international yoga festivals in multiple cities. Here are India’s top five yoga retreats that will hopefully be a life-changing experience for you.

1. Pondicherry - Give Time a Break

Discover an amazing way to kick start your year by visiting this quaint town in Tamil Nadu.  The International Yoga Festival celebrated here attracts many yoga enthusiasts who come for rediscovering themselves and attaining tranquility and peace within. The festival, currently in its 19^th year, is celebrated from January 4^th to 7^th.  Discover methods of following yoga exercises correctly, diet-plans and breathing and relaxation techniques through different asanas.  This is an amazing New Year gift from Pondicherry tourism that combines peace, love, light, strength and bliss. Come to discover a new YOU and start your year on a fantastic note by visiting Pondicherry through MakeMyTrip’s amazing packages!

2.  Rishikesh - Feel the Spirituality of the Ganges

An Uttarakhand tourism initiative organised jointly with Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, this annual Yoga Festival is famous for the different styles of yoga taught here including  Kundalini, Power Vinyasa, Iyengar and Kriya. Come and learn about the eight limbs of yoga from spiritual masters and revered saints from all over India!  This one-week festival celebrated from March 1^st to7^th is the best way to carry the purity and innocence of Ganges within you. While here, don’t miss out on the heartwarming aarti  on the banks of the holy river. Embark on a journey of spiritual awakening by paying a visit to Rishikesh.

3. Goa - Rejuvenate in the Oasis of Peace

Photo Credit: Tania Seth

Scintillating blue waters, golden sands and the picture-perfect sunsets! Imagine practicing the asanas of yoga and meditative exercises in the picturesque backdrop of Goa. Housing several yoga retreat centers each equipped with state of art facilities, Goa attracts a huge number of Indian and foreign yoga enthusiasts. The Ashtanga tradition is the most widely taught and practiced form here. Attend some workshops, orientations and programs to help you cope with stress and modern day pressures.  Just  one more reason to visit Goa. Plan your trip now for a rejuvenating Goan experience!

4.  Chennai - Soothe your Senses

Home to some of the oldest yoga training institutions like Asana Andiappan College of Yoga and Research Centre, the metropolitan of Chennai doubles up as a spiritual center. Come here to discover the most amazing, unknown facts about yoga, its curious beginnings in India and how it has evolved over the centuries. Indulge in authentic yoga practice sessions and take up a course in naturopathy or the ancient practice of yoga. Visit Chennai and get charmed for life!

5. Mysore - India’s New Yoga Capital

A city complete with stately palaces and temples, Mysore now attracts a huge gathering of people looking for yoga studies and yoga retreats. Famous for the Ashtanga tradition worldwide, Mysore offers a plethora of options for all yoga lovers who seek a perfect balance between learning and enjoyment. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this traditional city.

IIT Tech’s annual college festival – Shaastra is a four-day extravaganza that promises to beat  every other college festival in the field of engineering. IIT in Madras has been hosting this awesome college fest for the last 13 years and in its 14^th avatar, this vibrant tech fest is expected to be bigger and better than all the previous ones. One of the most widely awaited events of the year, Shaastra sees massive crowds turning up every year giving the campus the frenzied look of a stadium hosting an Indo-Pak cricket match. Don’t believe us? See for yourself and go to Chennai anytime from the 5^th to the 8^th January, 2013 – the festival dates.

It’s Geek to Me

There is a lot one can look forward to at this Techfest in IIT. From Robotics to Coding, there is something for everyone to wait impatiently for. Preparation for this festival celebration in Madras starts roughly 10 months before D-day and excitement is palpable throughout this youth festival.

At IIT Tech’s Shaastra, engineering students can participate in a host of exciting events and one of the most eagerly awaited one this year is Robowars. For all the computer geeks out there, there is Hackfest where you can unleash those mean skills “legally”. Another very famous Robotics event is ‘Junkyard wars’. All you need is lots of steel, moving parts, right equipments and a lot of engineering sense to build a mean machine and display it at this show. For those with a penchant in aeronautics and airplanes, there is Aerofest – steadfastly dedicated to this obsession. Even if it is paper planes, you can take that flight of fancy at IIT in Madras. The pilot training workshop is one of the landmark events at the festival.

Finally, if you thought engineers can’t let their hair down without a supporting Algorithm, go boogey all night at “Shaastra Nights” with techies gone wild. You’d find every kind of music to groove to here, right from peppy pop to some heavy metal and the head bangers’ favorite – hard rock.

Chennai Calling…

When in Madras or the politically correct Chennai, don’t stop at just gawking at all those robots and impossibly practical machines created right out of junk. Go visit some of the top attractions in this awesome city and take in all the sights and sounds of Chennai.

• Check out the Madras Boat Club - one of the oldest recreational centers in the city, surprisingly more popular for its golf club nowadays than for boating.
• If you are a nature lover then head to Arignar Anna Zoological Park. It is one of the largest zoological parks in the world and worth spending a few hours in.
• Go sari shopping because it would be a sin to come back from Chennai without an enviable silk sari parceled under your arm.

Photo Credit: Vikiunted / Wikimedia

So head to Chennai right at the start of the year and witness one of the most invigorating engineering college fests of the year. 

I first saw a salt flat in Bolivia, South America at the famous Salar de Uyuni.  The landscape was mesmerising, so I couldn’t resist the opportunity to visit the world’s largest salt desert in Kutch, Gujarat. Located in the Thar Desert, the White Rann of Kutch is a seasonal salt marsh. During monsoon, the region is covered in water, and over winter, the water evaporates leaving a salty crust that must be seen to be believed.

Love of the salt desert

I went there with my family at the beginning of December, driving from Vadodara it is a nine hour drive to the north west region of Kutch. We stayed in the small town of Hodka, and drove to the nearby town of Dhordo, passing through several security checks, a necessary requirement given our close proximity to the Pakistan border.  Parking the car at the edge of the White Rann, we apprehensively walked towards the blinding white desert. It is almost like nature is playing a trick on your eyes, from a distance it looks like it could be snow, but the temperature is warm.

The salt crunched beneath our feet as we walked on it, and some of the earth gave way beneath us where the water had still not entirely dissipated after monsoon.  Before us we could see nothing but pure white land that melted into the horizon.  There were no people or buildings in sight, it was like we had reached the end of the earth. 

In what is one of the most inhospitable places on earth, you can even stay in a tent overnight and wake up to this beautiful sight. Combine it with the festival of Rann Utsav held each winter in Kutch and you are in for the time of your life!

Vantage point

Eager to see the Great Rann from another perspective, we decided to head up to Kalo Dungar (black hill), the highest point in Kutch. We had hired a car, to make it easier for us to get around this vast region.  The drive up to Kalo Dungar is scenic because of the sparsity of the land.  Being in a desert, it is desolate with large rock boulders and little vegetation.  At only 462 metres, the hill itself is an easy climb.  At the top is a well known religious site of India called the Dattatreya Temple where you can see the priest feeding jackals each morning and evening.

Moods of the sun

We headed straight to the top of the hill that offers a splendid view of the region. The Thar Desert and the Great Rann stretches out to as far as the eye can see. As the sun starts to set, the mountain slowly changes from red to grey to black and you will witness the salt reflecting these changing colours of the sun.  In some parts, the monsoon water can still be seen, creating a little island in the middle of the salt desert. The sun reflected on the edge of the water, in a ring of bright blue.

I have never seen a landscape like this before. Where the Bolivian salt desert looks like a lunar landscape, Kutch looked like it came straight out of a fairytale, the salt flats glistened steely blue, they felt like you could ice skate on them ever so gracefully. As eagles soared above, the view was both spectacular and peaceful. As the sun came down in a brilliant blaze of orange, I reflected on just how large the world was, and perhaps how I had finally seen a part of the world that felt like it was right on the edge, where past the horizon you could almost fall right off.

Looking for a memorable holiday in the Rann of Kutch? MakeMyTrip offers convenient flights to Ahmedabad from where you can reach the Rann of Kutch via bus or taxi.

Located at the far Western edge of Gujarat, Kutch is not part of the usual tourist trail. Whilst many traipse through Rajasthan for a view of the desert, far less venture over to the other side of the Thar desert to explore this spectacular region. This makes it the perfect place to be at and really feel how our ancestors must have felt when there was nothing before them but oceans of elusive sand. On a recent visit to the region, I was able to experience this and so much more.

Run to Rann

Kutch isn’t just a desert you see, but rather a cultural celebration, something that the Gujarat Government has now tried to bottle in its annual festival of Rann Utsav.  Set up in the middle of the desert, visitors stay in tents that border the great White Rann.  There are over 400 tents available of varying capacity and facilities, so you are sure to find something that suits your budget and needs. That alone is an experience of a lifetime, spending the night on the startling white landscape that stretches into the horizon as far as the eye can see. So close to Pakistan, you can almost touch it!

The magic of Gujarat

This festival of Kutch celebrates the colour of the region, providing an arena for the arts and crafts of Gujarat to be displayed and purchased.  I spent hours just walking through the stalls looking at the detailed embroidery on bed linen and brightly coloured leather work that had been intricately carved into decorations. For the more inquisitive souls, you can also visit some of the local villages and NGOs to see local artisans practice traditional Indian arts including rabari emroidery, rogan art and the distinctive mirror work that Kutch is known for. My favourite would have to be seeing how the colourful kitchen items are made using the lac-turned wood method in the tiny village of Nirona.  With a steady hand, a plain piece of wood is quickly transformed into a vibrant work of art before our eyes.

The fringe benefits

Kutch is a vast region, and visiting it during the Rann Utsav can certainly make it easier to traverse. With organised tours to some of the local sightseeing spots including religious sites in Kutch such as Narayan Sarovar or the Kera Shiv Temple that is over a thousand years old, you can explore a lot more of the region and meet fellow travellers as well.  You could also head a bit further into Gujarat and see the Sun Temple of Modhera, which is just as stunning as the more famous Sun Temple of Konark.

Call of the wild

For nature lovers, there is plenty of interesting wildlife species to see including flamingoes, Indian wild asses and foxes. The wildlife sanctuaries of Kutch are most famous for the many species of birds that visit the marshlands.  Even if you don’t make it a wildlife sanctuary, you will no doubt hear the melodic chirping of birds at dusk.

Just sit back and relax…

In the evening, sit back and enjoy some traditional music of Gujarat and folk dancing with the Greater Rann of Kutch as your backdrop. Shows that demonstrate the diversity of the region are set up within the Rann Utsav complex and also on the White Rann for an experience that can’t be matched anywhere in the world.

The Rann Utsav is running till 31st January 2013. Hurry, make your booking now! MakeMyTrip offers convenient flights to Ahmedabad from where you can reach the Rann of Kutch via bus or taxi.

India has always been known for its ethnic, social and religious diversity and this rich heritage is becoming a part of the global culture today thanks to the millions of Indians who have spread throughout the world. The Indian Diaspora has not only adopted its host countries’ cultures but has also retained the uniqueness of the Indian culture. What better place to showcase this new paradigm change than in the 11^th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, a culturally diverse festival celebration in India, that will be held from January 7-9^th 2013 in Kochi?  Mark these festival dates in your calendar and be a part of this cultural potpourri.

A Cultural Treat

While serious seminars and plenary sessions will take up most of the space in this three day event, the Le Meridian in Kochi will also play host to a number of performers and dancers from across the country. The cultural programs will kick-start in the evening of 7^th January and the first to enthrall audiences with a visual feast would be Padmashri Geeta Chandran and her Natya Vriksha Dance Company. This exceptional danseuse will present a beautiful performance titled ‘Seasons’ that will explore the changing scape of the Indian seasons through classical and contemporary dance and will showcase how the heart reflects the changing moods of the seasons. You will profit from staying on right till the end of the day’s performances because the finale will be a performance choreographed to the awe inspiring score of Tchaikovsky.

Photo Credit: Arian Zwegers / Wikimedia

Get ready to witness ‘Bharatham… Keralam’ on the 8^th of January –conceived and directed by Soorya Krishnamoorthy. The performance will depict the cultural traditions of Kerala and how they help to create integration and unity. This large-scale production will see the participation of 100 artists from around the country and is sure to be a treat for your eyes.

Also included in the program are Indian dances such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam by Gayathri Govind and Group. The courtly dance of the Nawabs of Avadh – Kathak will find its way to your heart as would productions featuring dances from Manipur.

A contemporary dance performance by Samudra Performing Arts, Mayilpeeli Nritham and Kathakali are also on the roster. Dance is empty gestures without music and that will be solved by several shows focusing on the divine tunes of Indian traditional music. The final performances of the event, which will be held on the 9^th of January, will bring an international element with a cultural performance by Mauritian cultural group. Produced by Kooshal Dwarka, this will showcase the cultural diversity of Mauritius and its connections to India.

Food is an inseparable part of any culture and usually its most defining feature to a pair of new eyes. Get acquainted with the culinary delights India has to offer cultural dinners hosted at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.  Start packing your bags and book your flight tickets and hotel accommodation. With so many people about to descend in to Kochi, you should fix up your schedule before the city fills up to the brim. 

Experience the power of youth and the energy this year at Shaastra – the annual technology festival organized by IIT Madras.  This four-day extravaganza is one of the most awaited college festivals every year and is the Mecca for engineering aspirants. With intense competition in different fields of engineering where originality of thought and technological prowess mean everything, Shaastra, organized by IIT in Chennai provides participants with a unique platform to showcase innovation and ideation. In its 14^th edition, Shaastra is the place to be if you want to see real electricity buzzing. This IIT tech festival is completely managed by students and handling a Techfest in IIT is no mean feat! The festival dates are 5^th to 8^th January and will attract students from all over India to the sprawling campus of IIT in Chennai.

Events and Shows at Shaastra

This is not your regular College Festival and the events during Shaastra at IIT in Chennai are designed to make you think hard and boggle your mind with the toughest of challenges. This is especially true for the IITM Ideas Challenge – a new initiative at this IIT Fest where fresh, cutting-edge solutions will be invited for existing problems in the country’s social arena. Some of the other events that you should watch out for are - Aerofest, Coding, Design and Build and Shaastra Nights. Expect a lot of quizzes and online events too. Excited yet? At the Techfest in IIT you could be a part of anything from flying an RC plane to grooving to some catchy music.

Photo Credit: Sudhamsh Hebbar / Flickr

There are several fascinating exhibitions and the one to watch out for is Metal Mate where you can display your own robots (you’d have to make one first!). The Student Project exhibit allows you to showcase your previous work and in ThinkWare you can share your ideas on robotics. Make time for the Research Expo that will display real, feasible innovations by students addressing existing engineering problems. Stay long enough and you might catch some stardust from luminaries of the engineering industry, letting the young members in on industry secrets and tips at the Industrial Open House.

The Grand Finale

The highlight of Shaastra is its grand finale – a dazzling two-hour robotic treat. The final rounds of two of the most breathlessly awaited events – Robowars and Manual Robotics – would be held now. Hundreds of cheering spectators would add glimmer to these events as some of the finest works in robotics battle it out to the finish. This would be a great time to head to IIT in Madras and take a sneak peek at the future of engineering.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your luggage, pack what you can and run, because you can’t wait any longer! Don’t want to fly in? Simply hire a car and get started on a fun road trip to the IIT Fest in Chennai.

It’s January, there is a slight nip in the air, and it’s the perfect time to explore the beautiful backwaters, beaches and all the sights and sounds of the Queen of the Arabian Sea – Kochi. This beautiful city has been chosen as the venue for the 11^th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. If you’re in town to attend the event, make sure that you take time out to discover all that this picturesque city has to offer you.

The Lesser Known Kochi

Kochi has lured traders and travelers alike for the past 600 years. The financial capital and cosmopolitan hub of Kerala, Kochi is a bustling city, home to the country’s fourth busiest international airport and well connected by the rail and road network to the rest of the country.

The picturesque city has a number of interesting but unfrequented attractions that you must visit. Have a look at them:

Indo-Portuguese Museum: Soak in the history and culture of the region with a visit to the Indo-Portuguese Museum. It is a great place to discover how the Portuguese influenced the art and architecture of Kochi and adjoining areas. It is divided into five different sections – the Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral and is located in the compounds of the Bishop’s House.

The Jew Town: Kochi is a melting pot of different religions and societies, and each has left an indelible mark on the city. The Jews of Kochi are believed to have come to India in around 70 AD. Though a large number of the Jews have migrated to Israel and other countries, a few families still live in Kochi, adding a unique flavor to this bustling city. While here, you can interact with the Jewish community, admire the architecture, visit the synagogue and walk down the narrow alleys. An example of the varied religious sites in India, the Paradesi Synagogue, built in 1568, is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. While paradesi means foreigner, in reference to the white Jews who made Kochi their home when they fled prosecution centuries ago, the synagogue is also referred to as the Mattancherry or Jewish Synangogue.   

Greenix Village: While in Kerala, it would be a crime to leave the state without witnessing the beautiful art forms that it is so famous for. The Greenix Village, located in Fort Kochi, is a great place to learn about various performance arts such as Kathakali and Kalaripayattu. You can listen to some traditional Indian music every evening, and also practice all the different poses of yoga in the morning yoga lessons.

Utsavam at the Siva Temple: In January, you can also attend the annual seven-day festival at the Ernakulam Siva Temple in Kochi. The festival is famous for its Seeveli procession, which is taken out twice every day with nine tuskers and panchavadyam (an orchestra with five instruments).

Does the sound of all these sights and experiences waiting to be explored, excite you? Well then what are you waiting for? Grab your tickets and get on the next flight or train to Kochi and don’t forget to tell us about your experiences.

The world is but a diary, and life is just a prose

He who chose to pen it down, is the one who knows;

The path which leads to nowhere, is the path I chose

It brought to me fulfilment, and this is how it goes:

I was seeking a breakthrough vacation to a far-off land, away from the creed that now seems to have drawn away from nature, and nearer to the soil which has soul. It took two hardworking weekdays and some contemplating. Then, I fled.

As my bodily being was heading towards Chaukori, my soul was already eyeing the nirvana that awaited me there. The quaint hilltop hamlet is perched 2000 metres above sea level in the Western Himalayas, and casts upon you a spell weaved with nothingness, that can only be felt, not described.

Photo Credit: Pranav Bhasin

High above, the skies are blue

The delicate grass, dotted with dew;

The times are old, but memories brew

As I reminisce the Himalayan view:

Gheraoed by erstwhile tea gardens and verdant expanses, Chaukori welcomes you with a whiff of aromatic conifers in the cool breeze. Though a few upcoming resort properties have no longer left the land uninhabited, the surroundings are untouched, unadulterated and unspoilt.

Photo Credit: Etta Talwar Dutta

Vivid vistas await to be awed at, and the horizon is always brimming with the lofty Himalayan peaks of Nanda Devi and Nand Kot. A relaxing evening spent around a bonfire at the Tourist Rest House will warm your senses. Accommodation is best arranged for in one of the cottages here, which wake you up to an excellent early morning view of the Himalayas right out your bedside windowpane.

There is nothing. Well, almost absolutely nothing you can do here, apart from soaking the pleasant sun while observing the panoramic views of the hills and valleys, or explore the nearby age-old temples and a prehistoric cave - from the era of Mahabharata - called Patal Bhuvaneshwar, which is said to house stalagmites  of over 33 crore Hindu deities.

Much as you may wish to consider a livelier (read crowded!) and well-endorsed hill station for your next jaunt, this one offers the truest ingredient of a hill station - tranquillity. I found it, basked in its radiance and returned. It’s your turn now.

Your pursuit for the ultimate relaxation refuge ends at Chaukori. Period.

Fact File:

Location: Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand (200 km from Nainital)

Nearest taxi stand: Berinag (10 km)

Nearest railway station: Kathgodam (273 km)

Distance from Delhi: 465 km

Best transport option: Self-drive or taxi

Ideal holiday duration: 2-3 days (add another day if you wish to include Nainital)

Suitable for: Nature lovers, trekkers, solace seekers 

What people choose to put on their plates every day says a lot about their culture and lifestyle. That’s why I was so fascinated by the diversity displayed in the food of Goa. It seems as if the best of Portuguese and Indian cuisine melted together to create tastes that linger on the tongue. I still crave the sour and rather spicy Goan fish curry I had at a small seaside restaurant over ten years ago.

Located on the Arabian Sea, there is no dearth of mouthwatering seafood in Goa. With palm trees lining the coast, coconut milk can be found in abundance here, making it a base ingredient for most dishes. From traditional fish curries to Fish Suke (dried fish) or Kismur (dried prawn salad), which is served as a side dish, Goans use coconut milk in everything. Personally I cannot go past the Samarein Chi Kodi, a traditional curry made with coconut and dried prawns, or the Maharashtrian inspired garlic pepper prawns.

Photo Credit: adactio / Flickr

The Portuguese, who ruled over Goa for more than 500 years, introduced several new flavours into the cuisine, including pineapples, guavas, chilies and cashews. This has added both sweetness and texture to some classic curries, desserts and drinks. Feni, which is the liquor of choice for many Goans, is made from the cashew apple and coconut. It may not be to everyone’s taste and is rather potent!

Photo Credit: Dennis Wong / Flickr

While fish is certainly the staple diet, many vegetarian dishes influenced from across India also find place on a Goan menu. These include the staple dish of dali thoy, which is tur daal cooked in Konkan style or the spicy coconut soup of Salochi Kadhi, which can also be found in the cuisine of Gujarat.

Popular meat items include spicy pork vindaloo, which is now popular in places such as Australia. Chicken Cafreal is a simple yet delicious dish where chicken is marinated in green spices and coconut.

My favourite course has to be the dessert, which is something that Indian cuisine is famous for. This Indian influence can now be seen in Portugal through the dish Arroz Doce (sweetened rice), which is an adaptation of kheer. The best Goan dessert has to be Bebinca. This pudding has seven layers, which are believed to represent the seven hills of Old Goa and Lisbon. Legends aside, flavoured with coconut milk this simple but indulgent dessert is a great way to complete a Goan feast.

These global influences have made the cuisine of Goa unique. As I sit by the beach enjoying my feast of prawns in a spicy coconut broth or sun dried fish and rice, there’s just one thing that comes to mind…bon appetit.

Experience the joie de vivre of the Goa Carnival 2013 being celebrated from 9th Feb to 12th Feb. Figured the route you going to take? Take your cue from MakeMyTrip’s Route Planner.

Come January, and it’s time to set the ramp on fire with the best in fashion with the Punjab Fashion Week 2013. Mark your calendar from January 5^th to the 12^th for the Punjab Fashion Week and you are guaranteed to have fun, traipsing around the state to check out the latest in the field of fashion in Punjab. This month will see Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Amritsar play host to some amazing creations from the best designers across the country and will witness a whole range of awesome designer lifestyle products. With the month of January filled with weddings and festival celebrations in India, most importantly Lohri on January 13th, the Punjab Fashion Week will be your guide to what you can wear for the next wedding or festival. 

Photo Credit: Bollywoodhungama.com

Punjabis are known to be happy, chirpy people who enjoy all the good things in life and it reflects in their clothing and customs. The state is famous for its beautifully embroidered, Phulkari salwar suits and saris, which come in different textures and colors. The fashion week, this January, will present a kaleidoscope of beautiful ethnic designs that will surely leave you wanting more and you can feast your eyes on new, trendsetting fads in designer clothing and accessories as well as that big money maker - bridal wear. You must wait for shows that put a new spin on designer wear for kids and take home fine and artificial jewelry and fashion accessories.

What to look out for

Punjab Fashion Week will see a range of top designers from across India display their creations during the event. Apart from famous Punjabi designers, the fashion week will also see the participation of big names like Rocky S, Munish Gupta and Sanjita Khera. This is a great place to check out and buy a range of different clothes and lifestyle products.

Photo Credit: Bollywoodhungama.com

While the Fashion Week aims at promoting Punjab’s talented designers, models and artists, it is also being looked at as a platform to promote economic development of the region by focusing on the overall fashion industry. The Punjab Fashion Week will also partner with regional charities to create awareness and encourage community involvement.

Add some zing to your wardrobe and head to Punjab, attend the fashion week and come back with stuffed shopping bags!

I have welcomed the New Year. I have made the resolutions (ambitious ones!). The party is over for me (too early, I say).

The dogged resilience of work has once again triumphed against my mighty protests of laziness. Unfair as is the practice of working to earn a living (this would be my catch-line when I become a useless philosopher), there is a silver lining. This work provides me with the all-powerful money to go to one of my most coveted events of the year – the glitzy, the artistic and the phenomenal Pune International Film Festival.

Photo Caption: Poojasudrik Satish / Wikimedia

Entering its 11^th year this January, the Pune International Film Festival showcases some of the best International and Marathi movies of the year. Always held in the month of January, the event draws film enthusiasts from across the globe to the happening city of Pune. This time I too will be there  from on the beginning on January 10, 2013 till the end on January 17, 2013.

The film festival showcases Marathi and International language movies. Marathi movies nominated this year include –

Tukaram : Pune 52 : Tuhya Dharma Koncha : Samhita : Anumati : Balak Palak : Kaksparsh

International language movies include –

White Lions : The Last Step : The Tortoise, an Incarnation : The Delay : Rose : The Towrope : The Parade : Barbara : 80 million : Hella W : Frozen Silence : Araf – Somewhere in Between : The Fifth Season of the Year

Perhaps the most interesting part is the Student Competition – Live Action, which presents short movies directed by the younger lot. Some of the movies in this category this year include –

Allah is Great : Back Against the Wall : Last Calls : My Father is Bjon Borg : Abuelas : Chocolate Bacon : In Between : Howl

Whew! That’s quite a lot of art for one week! As much as I love watching movies and as much as I want to capture every moment of the festival (mostly the superstars, in my camera), I would definitely take the time out to roam around the city – hunting for good food and even better pubs and bars.

If you want to meet me, here are some of the bars you might find me typing my next blog at –

• Hard Rock Café

Address - 81/82, East Main Road, Koregaon Park Extension

• Area 51

Address – Baner Hills, Javahar, Taluka Haveli, Baner Road,

• Hidden Place – The Hangout

Address – 2 & 3, Upper Ground Floor, Gera Legend,

North Main Road, Koregaon Park

• High Spirits

Address – 35, A 1, Near ABC Farms, Main Road, Koregaon Park

A confession to make; I have a weird tendency of losing my way or getting confused about how to reach a destination. For those of you who suffer from this confounded malady, here’s something that will surely help you –   MakeMyTrip Route Planner. And hey, don’t forget the super awesome and cool MakeMyTrip SMS service. Just SMS @mmt to 92665 – 92665. Anytime. Anywhere. 

Jaggery, rice and raisins, cardamom and cashews, and a generous amount of ghee – all concocted together in to a mouthwatering dish that will send your senses into a tizzy! Salivating already? Well, here is what you do then - pack your bags, book your tickets, and jump on to the next flight or train that goes to any city in Tamil Nadu because, it’s time to cry out ‘Pongal O Pongal!’ at one of the most important harvest festival celebrations in India – Thai Pongal.  The festival of Pongal falls in the Tamil month of Thai and the festival dates this year are from January 14^th to 17^th.

Photo Credit: Dhammika Heenpella / Images of Sri Lanka / Flickr

In praise of the sun!

Winter is on its way out, the sun is shining bright, and there is joy in the air. It’s the first day of Pongal – the Bhogi Pongal. Courtyards and doorsteps in every village, town and city are covered with intricately designed kolams, or rangolis, that are so symmetrically accurate, that you’d need a geometry set to imitate them.  Make sure you watch your step as not to ruin the beautiful patterns by stepping on them!

Day two is Surya Pongal, the day dedicated to the Sun god. Elaborate pujas and heartfelt prayers are rendered to seek his blessings for another bountiful year.  Rice is cooked in mud pots, until it overflows, and it is time to shout ‘Pongal-O-Pongal’.

Eat to you heart’s content, and then run for your lives!

You call it a festival, so where is the food? As is the case with any other Indian festival, gastronomy is king during this harvest festival too and Pongal is the main dish at the event. There are two types of Pongal– venpongal – white in color and savory; and sharkarai pongal – the sinfully sweet variety, both fed to friends and family as if it was going out of style! If you still feel hungry, attack bowlfuls of sambar and platefuls idli and vadai. Yummy!

Photo Credit: 囧-Jean-囧 / Flickr

If you want to experience the full glory of Pongal, you will find it only in the villages and hamlets of Tamil Nadu. If you happen to be in Madurai, Tiruchirapalli or Tanjavur on Mattu Pongal, or the third day, get ready to run - the bulls are out! It’s time for Jallikattu, the Indian equivalent of the Spanish bullfight. This is one sport where you are sure to see some of the fastest and strongest amateur athletes of India, trying to tame some of the most determined bulls in the country. 

Imagine celebrating Pongal in the name of a British man? Well, that’s how the festival is celebrated in several villages in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. Pongal in these villages is celebrated in honour of British engineer Pennycuick, the architect of Mullaperiyar Dam, as his birthday coincides with the harvest festival.

So, if it is food, fun and some fast paced festivities that you are looking for, head to Tamil Nadu this January. Believe me, you are in for some major excitement.

One of the great things about travelling on your own is the ability to disappear off the beaten track occasionally. There is always a little thrill about not really knowing what’s around the corner, and essentially having to be your own tour guide. After spending some time discovering the many temples of Bhubaneswar, I headed down the coast to Puri. The town is famous as a seaside getaway, and I decided to head further south and see what else Odisha had to offer.

Of course, I didn’t realise just what was in store for me when I left Puri, which is well known for its famous religious site, the Jagannath Mandir, and proximity to the World Heritage Site, the Sun Temple of Konark. It also hosts the Konark Dance and Music Festival (from 19th February to 23rd February this year) that celebrates the arts of India.

Boarding a bus at the Puri bus station, I asked a few people around me if the bus was heading to Chilika Lake. An elderly lady nodded and patted the empty seat next to her.  An hour later, the bus conductor came past and gave me a rather concerning look when I tried to pay for a ticket to the town of Barkul.  I pulled out my map and pointed to my destination, only for him to shake his head, laugh and say “dusro bas”. He pointed to where our bus was headed and then left. 

We were headed to the town of Satapada which is also located on Chilika Lake.  However it is situated on the other side of the lake.  As Chilika Lake is the largest lake in Asia, getting around or across was unlikely to be as simple as taking a short boat ride.

Upon arriving in Satapada, I was advised that the ferry to Barkul had just left and the next one would arrive in 24 hours. With no other option, I commissioned a local fisherman to take me out on his boat to see the lake. Chilika Lake is the largest brackish lake in Asia, renowned for being the perfect place to observe many of the birds of India. Many of the famous lakes in India are in the North, particularly in the Himalaya Mountains; I was interested to see what treasures this lesser known place had.

Within 5 minutes of leaving the jetty we encountered some Irrawaddy dolphins, diving playfully in and out of the water. The boat ride took me through small villages dotted along the coast and to the sea mouth.  Birds flew around our boat as we sailed along in silence.  There were no other tourists in sight, it was bliss.

The sea mouth was a long sand bar, the lake on one side and the sea on the other, with a relatively small break which allowed the salt water into the lake. There was nothing but a small tea stand selling hot cups of chai and snacks.  With a steaming cup in hand, we headed back to the shore. 

Whilst it wasn’t part of my plan, my short stay here is now one of my favourite memories of Odisha.  A lazy lakeside town, where dolphins play, birds glide gracefully in the sunshine and the scent of salt fills the air.

Heard and read enough? Now plan your trip to Odisha and other incredible destinations with MakeMyTrip and choose from a variety of flights, hotels and holiday packages!

On January 10, 2013, hundreds of online retail companies and nearly 10 million online shoppers will wake up to the maiden edition of Etailing India Expo – India’s first comprehensive exposition focusing on e-commerce or online retail – the biggest business festival in Mumbai this New Year. This market pegged by industry experts at $14 billion, is beating big-box e-tailers like Walmart and Tesco at their seasoned game and doing it by cooking an all Indian success formula that has turned the tried-and-tested on its head.

How are they doing it? Where is the online retail market heading? What are the strategies and what is the future success mantra for India’s burgeoning e-tail market? Head to Mumbai on and get the inside out on this new, exciting way of doing business. Book a flight, take a train, plan a road trip; do whatever you like, but  reach ITC Grand Maratha between January 10 and 12 and get a bird’s eye view of everything under the online retailing sun.

Photo Credit: abhi_madhani / Flickr

Who Will You Meet?

Expect a charged up brigade of professionals from the Indian online retail industry and every other country hankering after a piece of this delicious pie. The 3-day event will feature industry stalwarts, experts from different e-tailing verticals, ground zero hopefuls and that upstart weirdo who quit a cushy job to sell veggies on the web.

What’s In Store For Me?

Days 1 and 2 will bring to you a host of top-of the-game keynote speakers and 75 featured speakers spilling the beans on the imperatives of the business like the technology involved, online marketing, social media and yes, the Holy Grail of all online retailers – funding! The treat of the day will be in the form of speakers like brand expert Harish Bijoor, well-known venture capitalist Mahesh Murthy, Pinstorm’s global business head Ansoo Gupta and the CEO of the very successful etailer – Yebhi.com – Manmohan Agarwal, among others.

Expect to be in a highly electrified atmosphere buzzing with innovative minds and brave hearts. One minute you could be sparring with industry leaders and experts during panel discussions or one-on-one interactions and the next learning how to field trick questions from journalists during the media interaction session. Some way to learn, right?

Day 3, the final day, will see several simultaneously running workshops working hard to exhaust the enthusiastic crowd of delegates, CEOs and CIOs with sessions on technology, logistics and distribution, operations and back-end, online marketing and funding and investment. Other advanced workshops will focus on strategies, technology innovations and branding and marketing techniques.

Excited? The first Etailing India Expo will culminate in a networking dinner where you can meet and interact with other participants, industry leaders and the high priests of online retail industry – investors. You can also showcase your business, make new alliances, learn to your heart’s content and maybe even find an angel willing to shine the bright light of investment upon your fledgling business. So get your bookings done right away – the most happening business event of the year is right at your doorstep.

Are you the quintessential festival-lover who reveled in Navarathri, partied through Diwali and made much merry in Christmas? Well then, it’s time to brace yourself for Pongal. Haven’t made travel plans to celebrate Pongal yet? Let’s get started!

Pongal in Theni

Photo Credit: rjstyles / Flickr

Pongal (Lohri or Makar Sankranthi in North India) is the most popular and celebrated festival in the South. Though the 4-day thanksgiving-for-harvest festival is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety all over the region, its real charm is best experienced in Theni, a Pongal hotspot in the Tamil Nadu countryside and one of the best places in India to celebrate Pongal.

Getting There

Also called the ‘second Manchester of South India’ after its cotton plantations, Theni is nestled in the lap of the Western Ghats, on the banks of River Theni, 18 kilomteres southwest of Periyakulam and 76 kilometres west of Madurai.

Make Kollams

During the Pongal festival, Theni transforms into a magical world of alluring colours, blissful sounds and captivating smells. On the first day of the festival that is, Bhogi Pongal day, the town folk get together to make special offerings to the rain God, Indra, to thank him for the bountiful harvest.

You can be part of the festivities by helping young women as they decorate their front yards with Kollams, the elegant floral designs made from rice flour, colors and yellow pumpkin flowers or join young boys as they play Bhogi Kuttus, special drums made of buffalo hides.

Fight a Bull

On Surya Pongal, the second and the most important day, you can help the people of Theni in filling their granaries and preparing Sarkkarai Pongal, a sweet dish made from rice, milk and sugar in a decorated mud-pot called Pongapani.

On Mattu Pongal, the third day, you will be fascinated to see how the cows and bullocks are bathed and decorated with tinkling bells and colour. This gesture is meant to thank and celebrate the contributions of the cattle in yielding a successful harvest.

There are two major highlights at Theni on this day. One is the exciting cattle race, Manji Virattu, in which young men chase a group of cattle and the other is the adrenalin-pumping bull-fight called Jallikattu where young men fight a ferocious and angered bull as it runs helter-skelter through the town lanes in an attempt to grab a bag of money tied to its neck.

Photo Credit: VinothChandar / Flickr

Enjoy a Picnic

Kaanum Pongal (fourth day) is all about spending time outside home and visiting relatives and friends. So, you can sign off on all the heady fun and excitement experienced over the past three days with a relaxing picnic with family and friends to nearby places that include: 

• Magnificent temples steeped in history and legends like the 2,000 year old Balasubramanya Temple; Sri Saneeswaran Temple, Sri Kailasanathar Cave Temple among others.
• Breathtaking waterfalls like Tiger Falls, Suruli Falls and Cloud Land Falls (Chinna Suruli).
• Beckoning hill tops like Meghamalai, Bodinayakkanur and Bodi Medu.
• Enthralling dams and reservoirs like Sothupparai Dam, Vaigai Dam and Manalar Dam.
• Lush green forests of Velli Malai and estates like the Highways Estate, Ananda Plantation and Ponsiva Plantation.
• Hotels and Accomodation
• Theni can accommodate you with several luxury and budget hotels to suit your needs.

With its delightful confluence of religious festivities and picturesque places to visit, Theni is a boon to any religious, festival-loving traveler. Plan the authentic Pongal experience and book your tickets to Theni now.

Nearly every culture in the world celebrates festivals related to harvest; praying to fertility goddesses, making offerings of food and valuable items. In India, Lohri is one of the biggest harvest festivals celebrated in several states. It’s a vibrant event with huge dashes of delicious foods, loads of family fun, and a large community bonfire. This festival of India is celebrated with much flourish in Punjab as well as in other states like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. In Tamil Nadu, the festival is known as Pongal and in Assam it’s called Bihu – famous for its namesake dance.

Photo Credit: Unlisted Sightings / Flickr

The When, Why and How

Lohri is celebrated on the eve of the winter solstice on January 13th, signaling the end of the long winter months and the beginning of spring. This is also the time when wheat, the main rabi (winter) crop is ready to be harvested and the festival of Lohri is celebrated to thank the gods for a good yield.  On the morning of Lohri, children go around singing songs about Dulla Bhatti and are rewarded with sweets, money and especially til (sesame) seeds. All these goodies, called Lohri, are offered to the holy fire. Other food items that are sure to find a place round the Lohri bonfire are peanuts, phulia (popcorn), gajjak (sweet made of sesame and sugar) and rewri (sweet mad of sesame and jaggery).

All the Action

The bonfire is the central point of all action and Lohri is thrown into the fire while attendees pray for a good year filled with blessings. If there’s been a marriage or a birth in the family, Lohri becomes an even more important event with members seeking blessings for the new life or the new partnership. The excitement around the Lohri bonfire reaches fever pitch with men folk dancing the bhangra (traditional Punjabi folk dance) to the beats of a dhol (drum)and women performing the gidda – a comely dance – to local folk songs.

Do it Your Way

This year don’t just light up a small fire and invite friends home for Lohri. Head out to the bountiful lands of Punjab and feast your eyes on lush fields of golden wheat, gently swaying in the winter breeze and witness nature’s splendor that Lohri celebrates. Don’t stop at just that; make time for some more of this fertile state’s unusual destinations.

Brave the cold to visit Harike Wetland in Tarn Taran district for a chance to see the elusive Indus dolphins once thought to be extinct in India. An easy car ride from Chandigarh will take you to Harike Wetlands – a protected area and if you’re lucky you might see some rare migratory birds as well.

Another trip worth your while would be to Rupnagar or Ropar – the site of the first Harrappan archeological excavation in independent India. Visit the museum in Ropar to see the awesome display of pottery, Harappan seals cast in copper and bronze and solid gold coins of the great king Chandragupta.

Tell us how you celebrated Lohri once you’re back. We’re waiting!