A trip to Bhutan , is mainly focussed around three cities – Thimphu , Paro and Punakha . Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and offers a glimpse into traditional culture and also how beautifully this is in fusion with the modern world , Thimphu is the focal point of any Bhutan Tour Packages , the Top 5 Things to See in Thimphu , Bhutan are as follows :
Bhutan Olympics Sports Complex
Thimphu’s only indoor sports complex houses a swimming pool, basketball court, and gym. The pool is open to travelers. Many sporting events and tournaments take place here; check to see if anything is scheduled while you are in town.
Changangkha Lhakhang
The temple is situated on a ridge high above Thimphu. Fluttering prayer flags adorn the courtyard, where the view of the valley is spectacular. Changangkha is one of the oldest temples in the valley, built in the 15th century by a descendant of Lamo Phajo Drugom Shigpo, the founder of the Drukpa school in Bhutan. Al-though tourists may not enter, the inner walls of the temple are said to be decorated with remarkable paintings, including a noted painting of Tsangpa Gyare Dorje, the founder of the Drukpa school in Tibet.
Drubthob Monastery
This small monastery is located on the road that runs high above the dzong. The name comes from the incarnation of the saint Drubthob Thangton Gyelpo. The monastery is currently in-habited by the Zilukha nunnery. Gaden Lam, Thimphu.
Memorial Chorten
The Memorial Chorten is one of Thimphu’s most prominent landmarks. It was built in 1974 in memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, by his mother, the Royal Grandmother, Ashi Phuntsho Choegron. Within the walls of this Tibetan-style chorten are numerous tantric statues and religious paintings. Unlike other chortens, this one does not contain any remains of the king. The Memorial Chorten is a good introduction to Tantric Buddhism in all its complexity. Try to visit this religious site with a guide who can explain the principles of Tantric Buddhism and interpret the symbols found inside.
Motithang Mini Zoo
Thimphu’s zoo, on the outskirts of town, has an un-usually lovely story. Many years ago, the king decided that keeping animals in captivity was very much against Bhutan’s moral principles, and he released the zoo animals into the wild. However, the tame takins, Bhutan’s national animal, rare bovid mammals, found their way back and wandered the busy streets of Thimphu. Thus, the animals were put back into an enclosed area and are looked after by a caretaker. The “zoo,” a large area enclosed by a mesh fence, is on the hill behind Motithang, and has beautiful views of the valley. It’s home to about a dozen takins and a yak.
Accommodation on Thimphu
In the heart of Thimphu is the perfect place to stop for a quick bite or linger over coffee and pastries, Swiss Bakery Norzin Lam, lust above the southern traffic circle, Thimphu. This eating establishment has been a favorite of expatriates for years. The closest thing in Thimphu to a fast-food restaurant, the bakery serves tasty cheese sandwiches with a secret sauce and hamburgers. The pastries here are not to be missed; a few house specialties are linzer tortes, rum balls, Swiss rolls, and sweet buns.
For more information on travel to Bhutan , contact one of the leading travel agents in India – Swan Tours , promoting tourism in Bhutan since 1995.
One of the biggest motivators for travellers is to experience the art and culture of the destination that one is visiting for a vacation , a holiday becomes more interesting if one gets to connect with the local artisans who give a valuable insight to the travellers .
Himachal pradesh tour packages , are very popular both with Indian as well as the foreign guests and art and paintings in Himachal is unique and a big USP for himachal tourism , some of the highlights of paintings in the hill state are as follows :
More than its temples and sculpture, Himachal is known for its internationally famous style of painting, the Kangra Kalam or the Kangra school of painting. Preceded by the Basholi 1111 and Chamba Kalams, it had found echo in as many as 35 allied styles or Kalams such as the Kulu Kalam, the Bilaspur Kalam, the Guler Kalam, the Arki Kalam, the Nurpur Kalam, the Mandi Kalam and so on, taking their names from the places where they were practised. All these Kalams are collectively known as the Pahari school of painting.
Kangra Kalam – (Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman) – Kangra school of painting
The origin of the Pahari school of painting has been the subject of a great debate among art historians. Some have tried to prove it to be “indigenous,” while others have described it as a “mere northern development of the Rajput art of the plains”. Some others argue that it had its primeval fountain in an “unknown university,” where both Pahari and Maidani paintings originally might have been devel-oped, while to yet another set of critics it is the work of artists from the Moghul court who sought refuge in the hills from fanatical Aurangzeb.
The fact appears that the intermingling of painters belonging to different traditions, the earlier indigenous, the later Rajput and the still later Moghul, brought about a fusion to produce a new idiom known as the Pahari School of painting. The stiffness of the early indigenous and Rajput art seems to have dissolved in the smooth flow of lines so characteristic of Moghul art. The excellence achieved by Paharipainters can be attributed to the seclusion of hills, comparatively undisturbed conditions therein, peace, natural environment, religious mould of life and the security and patronage they were able to get in the courts of the hill chieftains. The artists moved from one prince to another as circumstances dictated, exchanging ideas and styles. At times the artists were sent as part of the dowry of the Rap’s daughter to her new home. It is the intermixing on account of these factors that has made the main features of Pahari paintings alike though they were painted in different princely states.
Best of Himachal Tours by Swan Tours , gives an insight into Pahari Paintings , Pahari painting can be broadly classified as: miniature painting, wall painting, and manuscript painting. Miniatures which were drawn on stiff hand-made paper and were executed on a prepared ground were kept in portfolios or in bundles wrapped in cloth. On occasions these were pinned to the walls for decoration. Pahari miniatures are found in almost all the well-known museums of the world.
Wall painting was practised in the temples and the palaces of the nobles. Numerous examples of these are found at Chamba, Arki, Damtal, Kulu, Mandi, Sujanpur Tira and at various other princely states. Wall painting from Rang Mehal, Chamba and Sultanpur Palace, Kulu, have found place in the National Museum, Delhi.
National Museum – Delhi
Manuscript painting was also popular and various manuscripts were written and painted in the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries in the courts of the hill chieftains. In some paintings gold was extensively used. The most popular manuscripts were the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagvat Purana.
The themes of the Pahari paintings were religious and social. The religious themes were derived from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas and also from the works of Jayadeva (Geetagovind), Bihari (Satsai), and the poems of Mira Bai, Surdas, and Keshavadas. The cults of Ram and Sita and Krishna and Radha inspired the Sanskrit and Hindi poets, who have in turn influenced the Pahari artists the most. The heroic deeds of Ram, the sufferings of Sita, the adventures of Krishna have all supplied the paintings with a vast wealth of appealing themes. In these masterly creations, Krishna is not seen only as an avatara of Vishnu, but as a human being, friendly to folks, sharing their work and pleasure. He joins’ the herdsmen and the milkmaids in their games. He brings the cows back to the village at godhuli Bela (dusk). He steals butter, plays on the flute, dances, makes fun, fights a giant snake (Kaliya), drives the chariot of a friend (Arjuna); in short, does all that appeals to the fancy of the common man and to the aesthetic sensibility of the connoisseur.
Besides Ram and Krishna, Shiva and Durga in their various manifestations have also been the subjects of the paintings. Shankar, Virupaksha, Nataraja, Gangadhar, Kali, Mahishamardini are depicted in various contexts. Vaishnavite deity Narasingha and Shaivite Ganesha have also been the popular themes.
Seasonal activities have supplied rich themes to the Pahari painters. Baramasa paintings show in picture forms what the poets have said in verse. They depict changes in the life and mood of people as nature changes from month to month. Similarly, the Rajmala visualizes scenes and settings of famous classical ragas.
The paintings also give a glimpse of the social life of the hill people. They comprehend a variety of themes from the court life of hill princes. The portraits of nobility, the royal processions, music and dance parties, toilet and bathing scenes, marriages, royal expeditions, festivities are all painted by the Pahari artist, who treats all these activities in a lyrical manner but no less realistically.
Guler, which was an offshoot of Kangra state, is considered to be the originator and promoter of most of the Kalams or styles of Pahari paintings. It was after Nadir Shah’s invasion about A.D. 1740 that mass migration of the artists from the plains to the hills started. Some of these refugee painters took employment with the Guler ruler, Raja
Govardhan Chand (A.D. 1744-73), who was a great partroni of art. There is extraordinary simplicity and charm in the painting is initially done in Guler by these artists, but in later stages they applied the Moghul style in depicting themes from Hindu epics. The style matured and developed as local traditions, environments, religious beliefs molded it with the passage of time. After maturity the Guler artists and their descendants shifted to other hill states.
Govardhan Chand
In Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra (A.D. 1775-1823), who was a great dreamer and who visualized formation of a big Hindu hill state, they found the most generous patron of art. Their sojourn in Kangra produced the pre-Kangra phase in painting as is evident from the Ramayana paintings. The full-fledged development of the Kangra School is said to have taken place at Sujanpur Tira, where Sansar Chand commissioned the paintings from Bhagwat Purana, Gitagovinda, Ma-habharata, Baramasa, Satsai etc.
Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra
The chief features of Kangra paintings are delicacy of line, brilliance of colour and minuteness of decorative detail. The central theme of the paintings is love and its sentiments are expressed in a lyrical style full of rhythm, grace and beauty. To the Kangra painter the beauty of the female body comes first. In fact it is her charms that are reflected in the landscape of Kangra valley. Anand K. Coomaraswamy has observed: ” What Chinese art achieves for landscape is here accomplished for human love.”
A parallel school of painting developed in Chamba under Guler and Basholi influences in the eighteenth century and continued till the nineteenth century. The miniatures and wall paintings depict the social scene and also themes from the epics, Puranas and Krishna Leela. Many of these creations are of exquisite quality, “with large languorous women with great beauty … all enchanting in their totality”.
For more information on Himachal Travel packages, contact Swan Tours, a leading travel agent in India since 1995.
Kerala’s golden beaches and long coastline have resulted in it becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Also Visit – Best of Kerala with Taj Hotels
Cochin/Kochi
Cochin or Kochi, is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake, which opens out into the Arabian Sea to form one of the finest natural harbours in the world. This seaport is the commercial capital of Kerala and the most cosmopolitan of its cities. It has an eventful and colorful history and for several centuries, merchants from distant lands flocked here to trade in the famous spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and the most valuable of all, pepper the ‘black gold’ of the Malabar Coast. Kochi was known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ and due to the ‘spice trade’ that dates back some 3000 years, it was a port of call for the Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British. Such was its reputation as a seafaring commercial town that Nicolas Conti, the Italian traveller of the middle ages said, “If China is where you make your money, then Kochi is the place to spend it”.
The influence of the varied foreign visitors and their cultures can still be seen in Kochi. The Jew Town and Synagogue in Mattanchery, the Dutch Palace, Bolgatty Palace, Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi and its European Churches, the Chinese Fishing nets and other such remnants of the ‘spice trade’ are clearly evident even today, and have all merged harmoniously with the traditional fabric of Kochi.
Munnar
Munnar
Located in the high ranges of the Nilgiri Mountains at a height of 1652 meters, Munnar is known for its tea plantations that occasionally get lost in the clouds. But the pleasant fragrance of tea wafting out of the several tea-processing plants is always there. Also Visit – Kerala Holiday Package
Life in this verdant hill station centers on the ‘two-leaves-and-a-bud’ most of us sip out of a cup, every morning. But tea was not always grown here. It was after the British defeated Tipu Sultan and established their rule over this region, that tea was introduced. A British officer explored the area by following elephant trails and brought in some Scots to help him clear the dense jungles. Then these pioneers planted tea and a town grew around the plantations. Though the times have changed with Tata Tea now owning almost 70% of the plantations, much has remained the same. The High Range Club established by the pioneers, remains the focus of all activity and retains its colonial character and norms. The hills are a sea of green and as you stroll through the enormously attractive tea estates, you find women workers plucking the fresh shoots and throwing them into the wicker baskets on their backs. Planters move around dressed in their traditional shorts and wearing a hat. And the Nilgiri Tea is as good as it has always been.
Tourists have now discovered Munnar and several new hotels have come up. Visitors should make the 16 kms excursion to the Eravikulam National Park, which hosts the elephant, deer, gaur (Indian bison), leopard and the endangered Nilgiri Tahr or ibex. About a third of the world’s population of this rare mountain goat lives here and they are fairly easy to spot. And when in Munnar, do not forget to carry home the fresh and aromatic tea.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Thekkady
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary / Thekkady
Over a hundred years ago, a dam was built across the Periyar River located in Thekkady, to supply water to Madurai and this gave birth to the Periyar Lake. Today this lake is the heart of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary that spreads over an area of 777 sq. kms.
This rich bio diverse ecosystem supports a huge variety of wildlife, with the star attractions being the regal tiger and the mighty elephant. Boat rides on the lake organized by the forest department are the best way to see this fascinating sanctuary and view the wildlife. As the veil of the morning haze lifts, Periyar slowly comes to life with the first calls of langur monkeys ricocheting across the lake valley. As the boat glides smoothly on the shimmering waters, keen eyes scan the gentle grasslands and dense jungles of the Western Ghats that cradle the lake within their folds. A herd of gaur (Indian bison) coming down to the water’s edge to quench their thirst is sighted. Wild boars make an appearance and are followed by some sambar, India’s largest deer. Then the avian orchestra consisting of 260 species of colourful birds starts to play and the jungle transforms into a magical viewing gallery that gives you a glimpse of a beautiful and wild world. This is Periyar, a natural paradise that possesses misty mountains, lush green rainforests, a picturesque lake and abundant wildlife. Also Visit – Kerala Luxury Package
This delightful destination is not only about the joy of watching wildlife. Thekkady is also famous for its plantations of cardamom, pepper, etc, that are generously spread across the aptly named, Cardamom Hills. You could visit these spice plantations and even go for a trek in the wooded hills, which is a great way to commune with nature and rekindle your spirit of adventure.
Kumarakom
Kumarakom
The forty odd rivers that flow down to the Arabian Sea from the Western Ghats form the backwaters of Kerala. This fascinating network of rivers, canals, lakes and estuaries has for centuries, provided a livelihood and been a means of transportation for people and goods moving between the hinterland and the port towns along the coast. These backwaters have shaped the life of this region and everything here is linked to the regime of water. The waterways with fertile alluvial banks are responsible for making this region the ‘rice bowl’ of Kerala and are the secret of its stunning canopy of greenery. As the palm fringed canals meander through the vast expanse of paddy fields, you come across tiny hamlets with simple thatched huts, framed in dazzlingly colored bougainvillea and bordered by groves of cashew trees and blooming hibiscus.
You see children happily playing along the bunds, fishermen patiently casting their traps and nets, women washing clothes and going about their daily chores, numerous birds that frequent the sanctuary here and country boats plying back and forth, laden with both smiles and sorrows. The gentle breeze carries the sound of tolling bells and prayer chants across the water and as you venture deeper into the labyrinth of rivers and canals, the channel becomes increasingly narrow, until suddenly, it opens up into the breathtaking panoramic vista of Iake Vembanad, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes.
Situated on the hanks of the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakorn is a tiny hamlet that is now a gateway to the amazing backwaters of Kerala, one of the most popular destinations. And some of the credit for putting this mesmerizing place on the world map, should go to the Casino Group (now known as cghearth), who were amongst the first to establish a resort here. Hidden among the palm trees on the eastern shore of Lake Vembanad, is their Coconut Lagoon Heritage Resort. This remarkable resort can only be reached by boat and provides all the ingredients to make your holiday on the backwaters an extremely enjoyable and rewarding one. Another very appealing option is the historical country house of the Bakers that has now become the Taj Garden Retreat. Several other new and interesting resorts have also come up recently. You could also stay in a ‘floating hotel’. Many have converted traditional houseboats (Kettuvallams), into well equipped self contained hotels and you could go for a cruise or choose a scenic spot to park in. Also Visit – Kerala Vacation Package
Paravoor
At the edge of the Arabian Sea and connected with the backwaters, lies the calm fishing village of Paravoor. Adjacent to it is the enchanting Aquaserene Backwater Resort, an isolated abode of joys for sun and sea worshippers. If you want to get away from it all and relax in a peaceful and luxurious retreat, this is the place for you. It also has an ayurvedic health treatment and herbal beauty centre.
Varkala
Varkala
Further down the coast is Varkala, a Hindu centre of pilgrimage. It has a 2000-year-old temple, a century old tunnel and the comfortable Taj Garden Retreat Resort that is situated atop terraced cliffs with a commanding view of the coastline.
Trivandrum/Kovalam
Built on seven low coastal hills, Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram as it is known now, is an interesting mix of narrow winding lanes, massive whitewashed houses with red tiled roofs set in cool green gardens, ancient temples and palaces and a long sea coast washed by the waves of the Arabian Sea. It is the capital of Kerala, but unlike other state capitals, it has a relaxed atmosphere and despite its huge size and commercial and political importance, it still has the feel of an overgrown village or market town.
The 16th century Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the city’s most impressive landmark and is among the most sacred Vishnu Temples in India. It is also a very fine specimen of South Indian temple architecture, but only Hindus are allowed inside and they too have to wear a dhoti in traditional style. The other places of interest are – The Palace Museum and Napier Museum.
Kovalam, which is 14 kms further south, was once just a series of sandy bays separated by rocky promontories. But all this changed in the 1970s, when foreign tourists discovered this curving strip of golden sands with a few fishing villages scattered under the coconut palms. It is now an internationally known holiday destination with several sea resorts and hotels, and it attracts a multitude of tourists from all over the world. An interesting place to stay could be the Logoona Davina. This idyllically situated resort at the edge of a fresh water lagoon facing the Arabian Sea, is owned by Davina Taylor, an English lady who came here as a tourist She fell so much in love with the place, that she stayed back and started this small and charming resort that has been described as Davina’s particular slice of paradise.
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari that was once known as Cape Comorin, lies at the southern most land tip of the Indian peninsula, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet and merge. Also Visit – Best of Kerala Tour
There is a Latin saying “The sun rises only to set again”, and nowhere is the passage of the sun, more of an optical feast than it is here. On the full moon day in the month of April, the sun and moon face each other on the same horizon and on other full moon days, the sun sets and moon rises almost simultaneously, as if by prior arrangement.
Kanyakumari is where calm abides and peace reigns, all under the august aegis of the sun and moon. The long beach has multicolored sand with several temples overlooking the shore, including the one dedicated to the Virgin Goddess, Devi Kanyakumari, from who this beautiful place gets its name. The Swami Vivekananda Memorial is an impressive monument built on one of the twin rocks jutting out from the sea about 200 metres offshore and the lighthouse provides sailors of the sea, ocean and bay with a safe passage.
Seasonal activities have supplied rich themes to the Pahari painters. Baramasa paintings show in picture forms what the poets have said in verse. They depict changes in the life and mood of people as nature changes from month to month. Similarly, the Rajmala visualizes scenes and settings of famous classical ragas.
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