India and Festivals - Goa Carnival

Welcome back to all our readers, with more and more interesting information about India, Culture, Festivals and Places, we are trying to increase your interest to spend your time by visiting the places and attending the events and festivals. So, if you are eager or interested or even if this blogs, let’s say last few blogs have been about celebration and festivals, makes you feel the eagerness to see those places, celebrations or festivals, we would be happy to know that with your remarks on those blogs.

Today, we from Phila Tours & Travels are again giving you something worth watching and if you are enthusiastic enough, take a part too and for that, let’s go to Goa…

The beaches in Goa are the main attraction that draws travelers from across the globe but among many various and colorful celebrations and events takes place in Goa, this is one of the most eagerly awaited celebration, which falls during the month of February every year, the 4 days and nights celebration just before the 40 days of Lent is this Goa Carnival. This year the Carnival will start on 9th February and will be continued till 12th February 2013.

 The origins and nature of the carnival can be traced to the  feasts of ancient Rome and Greece. These carnivals started in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, and gradually became known for their singing, dancing and drinking. But in India this Carnival is exclusive and unique to Goa, and was introduced by the Portuguese who ruled over Goa for over five hundred years. Started by them the Goa Carnival has made a special place for itself, the cultural blend of the Portuguese and local people created a unique Culture of Goa, it has also absorbed Hindu tradition revelry, western dance forms, and turned into a pageantry of sorts. Earlier Goa Carnival festival was bounded within the local population but now it has crossed all frontiers and attracts thousands of people from all over the world.

Traditionally during Lent there are no parties or other celebrations and people abstain themselves from rich foods. The consumption of rich food in a grand party leads to the origin of Carnival. The carnival is meant to be a feasting-drinking-having fun just before the austere 40 days of Lent. Huge parades are organized throughout the state with bands, dances and floats out all night on the streets, and grand balls held in the evenings. During the days and nights of the Goa Carnival you can notice a great amount of zeal and zest among the people. The streets come alive with colors, lively processions, floats, the strumming of guitars, graceful dances and of non-stop festivity.

The carnival concludes with the famous red-and-black dance held by the Club National in Panaji on the final day, then begins the week long event, which is a time of unbridled festivity and merry-making, which has been celebrated since the 18th Century. With the end of Carnival start the days of lent and till the Easter, the fun and frolics are in limit but tourist will not stop visiting the state to still enjoy the world class beaches and how well it is said; Sun, Sea and Siesta.

With this we conclude our blog for Goa Carnival and await for your comments on this as well as earlier blogs, feel free to post the comments and also suggest you to contact us for any further information or travel plan required for visiting India and its marvels.

India and Festivals - Khajuraho Dance Festival

Welcome all from Phila Tours & Travels, wishing all a great day ahead, also hope that you all must have enjoyed reading about the Camel Festival and Republic Day Celebration in our earlier blogs. Today we are going to talk about Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh State of India.

When someone talks about the Khajuraho, its well known to all, and reminds immediately for the Kamasutra positions carved out side walls of the temples in Khajuraho town. Which was ruled by the Chandela Dynasty (between AD 900-1130) and was built as a religious and cultural capital of dynasty, and even today Khajuraho is known for its ornate temples that are spectacular piece of human imagination, artistic creativity, magnificent architectural work and deriving spiritual peace through eroticism.

Today we are talking about the Cultural program of Dance festival being held here in Khajuraho at the back drop of temples. This festival was started in 2002 by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department to promote tourism and this year it will be taking place during 20th to 26th February 2013 for week and in general takes place in an open air auditorium with the Chitragupta Temple and the Vishwanatha Temple serving as the backdrop in the Western Group of the Khajuraho Temple complex.

This Festival is a cultural festival for the celebration of the Indian arts- dance and music handling down from generation to generation. The Khajuraho Festival of Dances shows the best classical dancers and dances in the country highlighting the richness of the various Indian classical dance styles such as Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali.

Along with the renowned performers, a number of craftsmen display their crafts to the visitors. There is an open market where local articles are there for sale. Khajuraho Dance Festival is conducted as a celebration of the cultural heritage of Khajuraho temples and preserving it for the coming generation and to celebrate the glory of the temples. It is believed that classical dance basically comes from the Hindu temples and attained its maturity.

We have tried to give you the pictures and possible videos of such Dance festivals held in Khajuraho during earlier years, hope this will entices your visual treat and encourage you to contact us for your next visit to such beautiful places in India.

India - Republic Day Celebration

Good Day to all our friends and readers, we from Phila Tours & Travels welcome you to yet another blog with information related with India, and hope you will enjoy this too as the earlier ones…

India attained independence on August 15, 1947 but till 1949 no permanent constitution of its own was formed, instead India was functioning under the laws enacted and implemented by the British. After many amendments by the constituent Assembly, the Constitution was approved and accepted on November 26, 1949 that came into force full-fledged from on 26 January, 1950. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is widely regarded as the father of the Indian Constitution. Thus the Republic Day celebration is the moment to remember the implementation of the Constitution into effect.

The Republic day parade is display of power and culture. To mark Republic Day in a memorable and significant way, every year in New Delhi, the Capital city of India, parade starts from the Raisina Hill in the neighborhood of the majestic Rashtrapati Bhawan and passes along the Rajpath thus ending at India Gate. The President, Prime Minister and other high rank officials of Military, Navy and Air Force of India are present on this occasion along with the invited dignitaries of foreign nationals at Rajpath to celebrate the occasion. After the President of India unfolds the National flag the National Anthem is played and also the President addresses the nation.

One of the main functions of the Republic Day Parade is to pay tribute to the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the country and received bravery awards on military persons, also citizens and children for showing courage in the face of adversity. These children are honored and awarded by the Indian Council for performing outstanding deeds of bravery and selfless sacrifice. The Parade starts with the winners of such awards saluting the President in open military jeeps and elephants, followed by the display of various tanks, missiles and other equipment added to the arsenal of the military. After this, is the march-past of different regiments of the armed forces, police, Home Guards and National Cadet Corps. The President of India, being the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute.

This is followed by a vibrant parade comprising from different States displaying their culture and local dances. This is also a very colorful event not to miss at anytime as, each state has its own colorful float passing by with their individual prominence of places and also includes cultural dances and rituals. The Republic Day Parade is concluded by dare devil motor cycle riding and a fly past by Indian Air Force fighter jets over Rajpath. Though this is the end of the official parade of Republic Day Celebration, it is actually concludes on 3rd days after 26th January.

Post this celebration at India Gate of 26th January, on the 27th January, a Prime Minister's Rally is held by an excellent Cadets of National Cadet Corps displaying various breath-taking performances and drill. Also the Government of India’s Ministry of Culture, in association with Zonal Cultural Centres organize "Lok Tarang, - National Folk Dance Festival" every year from 24th to 29th January. This festival provides a unique opportunity for Indians as well as Foreigners to witness colorful, vibrant and authentic folk dances from various parts of the country.

Beating The Retreat officially denotes the end of Republic Day festivities. All important Government Buildings are beautifully decorated with lights every evening from 26th to 29th. Beating the Retreat ceremony is conducted on the evening of January 29, the third day after the Republic Day. The Chief Guest of the function is the President of India who arrives in a cavalry unit escorted by the 'President's Bodyguards'. When the President arrives, the commander asks the unit to give the National Salute, which is followed by the playing of the Indian National Anthem, by the Massed Bands, and at the same time by the unfurling of the National Flag of India on the flag pole. 'Beating Retreat' marks an old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. Later on band master then marches to the President and requests permission to take the bands away, and informs that the closing ceremony is now complete. The bands march back playing a popular martial tune "Saare Jahan Se Achcha". At that time the buglers sound the retreat and the National Flag is lowered, and the National Anthem is sung, bringing the Republic Day celebrations to a formal end.

Not only in New Delhi, but other states also celebrate Republic Day in presence of Political leaders, local police chiefs and other important dignitaries with great enthusiasm and in numerous innovative ways. On Republic Day the public offices and schools will remain closed to celebrate the significance of the day. The patriotism of people is witnessed not only in the programs and activities but also in the inspirational Republic Day messages and wishes to their friends, relatives and colleagues that gives festive ambiance to this historic occasion.

Here you have more of seen the Republic day celebration by these pictures, as instead of detailing in words we know seeing is believing and more impressive, so do not miss the chance to see the beautiful country of India with lots of diversities and still united as one, come and see for yourself, contact us for any information you may required for arranging your travel needs.