NEWSLETTER - September 2018
Travel Desk

 

According to legend, PUSHKAR, 15km northwest of Ajmer, came into existence when Lord Brahma, the Creator, dropped a lotus flower (pushpa) to earth from his hand (kar). At the three spots where the petals landed, water magically appeared in the midst of the desert to form three small blue lakes, and it was on the banks of the largest of these that Brahma subsequently convened a gathering of some 900,000 celestial beings – the entire Hindu pantheon. Surrounded by whitewashed temples and bathing ghats, the lake is today revered as one of India’s most sacred sites: Pushkaraj Maharaj, literally “Pushkar King of Kings”. During the auspicious full-moon phase of October/November (the anniversary of the gods’ mass meeting, or yagya), its waters are believed to cleanse the soul of all impurities, drawing pilgrims from all over the country. Alongside this annual religious festival, Rajasthani villagers also buy and sell livestock at what has become the largest camel market (unt mela) in the world, when more than 150,000 dealers, tourists and traders fill the dunes west of the lake.

The result is a muddle of religious and tourist scenes. The main street is one long bazaar, selling anything to tickle a traveller’s fancy, from hippy-chic tie-dye to didgeridoos. Despite the commercialism and banana pancakes, the town remains enchantingly small and authentically mystic.

This month we bring to you Pushkar, Rajasthan, as the destination of the month.


 

GITA - India Unveiled!
Hotel News

Taj Connemara Chennai Reopens

Taj Connemara, South India’s oldest hotel reopens after undergoing a year-long extensive renovation and redesign. Dating back to 1854, the hotel’s legendary history has been brought to life with fresh and modern sensibilities. Over a century old, the Taj Connemara is a proud relic of the colonial era and is named after Lord Connemara, the then Governor of Madras.
Taj Connemara’s refreshed design has eclectic architectural influences of Classic Colonial, Art Deco and distinctive elements from the celebrated architect, Geoffrey Bawa’s ‘Tropical Modernism’ style coupled with a timeless refreshing interior design. The hotel’s 147 rooms and suites spread across the Tower and Heritage wings are each appointed with elegant four poster beds, vintage prints and objets d’art. Sensitive preservation of the Art Deco façade and interiors will showcase the hotel’s original features including wooden carvings sourced from the 16th and 17th century temples of Mahabalipuram. Unique for a city hotel, guests will enjoy 4.5 acres of landscaped greens and enclosed atrium gardens.

 

The Fern Residency opens in Miramar, Goa

The Fern Hotels & Resorts has added another hotel to its portfolio with The Fern Residency Miramar, Goa. Earlier known as Mystique Heights Beacon, the property has now been refurbished and rebranded as The Fern Residency Miramar, Goa. This takes the tally of hotels under the company’s management to 54 hotels.

The Fern Residency Miramar, a 26-room boutique hotel, offers two different categories of rooms. The hotel provides medical assistance, 24-hour front desk, laundry/dry cleaning, concierge, spa, recreation activities, Wi-Fi and secretarial services on request. The dining options comprise Flamingo restaurant. Other options are Outer Deck where one can enjoy live barbecue in the open and Fame bar. The hotel is located 30 km away from Dabolim Airport, 18 km from Karmali Railway Station and 4 km from Panjim Bus Stand. The Miramar beach is few minutes away from the hotel.


 

Tourism Update
 

Ministry Sanctions Projects For Heritage Circuit In Punjab And Tripura

The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned two new projects under Heritage and North East Circuits of Swadesh Dashan Scheme in Punjab and Tripura.
Under Heritage Circuit in the state of Punjab, the project covers sites of Anandpur Sahib – Fatehgarh Sahib – Chamkaur Sahib – Ferozpur – Amritsar – Khatkar Kalan – Kalanour – Patiala. The project includes development of Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, development of Tourist Infrastructure and Heritage Path at Anandpur Sahib, development of Tourist Infrastructure at Fatehgarh Sahib covering sites of Samadhi of Shahid Uddham Singhji, Jajah Haveli of Divan Todar Mal, Mir Miran Tomb, Sadna Kasai Tomb etc. , Development of Chamkaur Sahib, Development of Hussainiwala Border in Ferozepur, Development of Khatkar Kalan, Kalanaour and Patiala. The facilities being developed include Virtual Reality Shows (Jallianwala and Hussainiwala Border), beautification and landscaping, interpretation centres, façade development, wayside amenities, parking, CCTV and Wi-Fi facilities, Cafeterias, Open Air Theatre, drinking water facility etc.
Under North East Circuit in Tripura, the sites of Surma Cherra- Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati-Bhunaneshwari- Matabari- Neermahal- Boxanagar- Chotta khola- Pilak- Avangchaarra are covered. The project envisaged infrastructural development of the sites with special emphasis on developing an Interpretation Centre, Tourist Visitor Centres, Cafeteria, Last Mile Connectivity, Illumination of sites and monuments, Wayside Amenities, Floating Jetties, Camping Grounds, Parking Facilities, Adventure Activities, Ghat Development at above sites.


                                       

 

Aviation News

Jet Airways’ Mumbai-Manchester service to now operate five days a week
Jet Airways is set to introduce the country’s first non-stop service between Mumbai and Manchester effective November 5, 2018, further strengthening the airline’s connect with the United Kingdom. Jet Airways will deploy a wide body A330-200 with 254 seating for the service, which will now operate five days a week including Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Manchester will become the 21st international addition to the Jet Airways network and with the introduction of this new flight – the carrier’s fifth non-stop service to/from the UK, Jet Airways will also become the largest carrier between Mumbai and the UK. Jet Airways’ flight 9W 130 will depart from Mumbai at 02:30 hrs and arrive in Manchester’s Terminal 2 at 07:55 hrs (local time). The return flight, 9W 129 will depart from Manchester at 09:30 hrs (local time) and arrive in Mumbai’s Terminal 2 at 00:40 hrs.


Jet introduces nine industry-first domestic routes
In a series of industry-firsts, Jet Airways has introduced daily flights from Indore, connecting the ‘largest city in Madhya Pradesh’ to Jodhpur as well as to Vadodara. In other notable firsts, Jet Airways is also set to commence flight operations between Chandigarh and Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Jodhpur as well as Vadodara and Jaipur. Jet Airways will be the only airline in the country operating these routes which will improve connectivity between north India and central as well as western India.


Vistara becomes British Airways’ only codeshare partner in India
Vistara and British Airways have signed a codeshare agreement, further deepening their already existing interline partnership. Under the agreement, British Airways will add its ‘BA’ designator code to approximately 60 Vistara-operated flights each day covering 13 Indian cities, including eight new virtual British Airways destinations, namely Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Goa, Kolkata, Kochi, and Pune. Additionally, the BA code will also be put on Vistara flights between Mumbai and Amritsar, and Chennai and Kolkata.


                                                        

PM inaugurates Sikkim’s first airport at Pakyong

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first greenfield airport of Sikkim at Paykong on September 24, 2018. Sikkim’s dream of having an airport came true nine years after a foundation stone for it was laid here, around 33 km from state capital Gangtok, in 2009. The first commercial flight from Pakyong would begin from October 4. Set to pave the way for direct connectivity to Sikkim, Pakyong airport is the 100th airport of the country. Located around 60 km from the Indo-China border, the airport is spread across over 201 acres and is located on the top of a hill about 2 km above Pakyong village at 4,500 feet above sea level, Sikkim Chief Secretary A K Srivastava said.


 

Hot Destination

Pushkar



With more than 500 temples, Pushkar is one of Hinduism's holiest sites and an interesting place to visit even when the famous camel fair (in October or November) isn't being held. The focus of the town is its placid lake and the ghats, havelis, crumbling buildings and temples, all whitewashed a splendid white, that edge the lake. Parts of the town have the vibe of a Rajasthani Varanasi and indeed this place is almost as sacred. But like many Indian towns Pushkar has several flavors. Pushkar's religious significance derives from the Vedic text, Padma Purana, which describes how the town was created. Brahma, creator of the universe, was looking for a place to perform the yajna—a holy ritual that involves placing offerings into a sacrificial fire for Agni, the fire god—that would signify the beginning of the human age. He dropped a lotus from his hand and Pushkar was where it struck the ground. If you really want an experience, go to Pushkar during its famous five-day annual Camel Fair, the largest in the world. Every October or November—depending on the lunar calendar—during the full moon (Kartik Purnima), people flock here by the many thousands to see the finest camels parade around the fairground, edging the sand dunes, in colorful costumes. People come to buy, sell, and trade camels, and to race one camel against another, and it is a treat to see Rajasthanis, who already dress in bright colors, kitted out in their best. A good male camel goes for at least US$400 although some of the popular Marwari horses go for much more. Other types of livestock are also sold. In addition to the camel activities, there are cultural programs, cricket matches, competitons during the day and all kinds of spontaneous music, dance and folk performances in the evenings.

The Fair

This small town, becomes a cultural phenomenon when colourfully dressed devotees, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders, comedians, ‘sadhus’ and tourists reach here during Pushkar fair. According to Hindu chronology, it takes place in the month of Kartika (October or November) beginning on ‘ashtmi’ 8th day of Lunar Calendar and continues till full moon (‘Poornima’). The camel and cattle trading is at its peak during the first half of festival period. During the later half, religious activities dominate the scenario. Devotees take dips in the holy "Sarovar" lake, as the sacred water is known to bestow salvation. This small town is transformed into a spectacular fair ground, as rows of make shift stalls display an entire range of objects of art to daily utility stuff. Decoration items for cattle, camel and women, everything is sold together. Small handicraft items are the best bargain for buying souvenirs. The camel and horse races have crowds to cheer. Camel judging competitions are quite popular with animal lovers. Each evening brings different folk dances and music of Rajasthan, performers delivering live shows to the roaring and applauding crowds. Pushkar fair has its own magic and it's a lifetime experience for travellers. It has featured in numbers of travel shows, films and magazines. According to the Lonely Planet: "It’s truly a feast for the eyes. If you are any where within striking distance at the time, it’s an event not to be missed."