GUDI PADWA

GUDI PADWA

Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month. Gudi Padwa is celebrated as the New Year day by Maharashtrians.

Gudi Padwa is also known as Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This festival marks the beginning of the spring season. People celebrate this festival with great spirit and joy

On this day, gudis are hung outside the houses or in the localities. A 'gudi' is a pole on the top of which an upturned brass or silver pot called a kalash is placed. The gudi is covered with a colourful silk cloth and decorated with marigold flowers, coconuts, and mango leaves that symbolize nature's bounty.

Gudi is worshipped by offering sandalwood paste, turmeric and vermilion. Then, boys and young men of the locality form a pyramid and the person on top of the pyramid breaks the coconut which is in the kalash. Gudhi also known as Brahmadhwaj (Flag of Lord Brahma) is a symbol of happiness, joy, glory, celebration of victory

As per Hindu mythology Lord Brahma, created the Universe on this day & hence it is believed to be the beginning of the Universe.

Therefore, It is an ideal day to start a new business, buy a new house, buy a new vehicle, make an investment etc... So also it is considered one of the best auspicious days for Maunji bandhan (Thread Ceremony), which marks the beginning of Brahmacharya Aashram (Student Life), to get married, which marks the beginning of Gruhastha Ashram (Married Life) and all other religious or cultural rituals

After the Pooja a favorite sweet dish is prepared as Naivedya (offering to god). After the sun set, the Gudhi is removed after the worship. Friends and relatives are invited and offered sweets

VICTORIA MEMORIAL

VICTORIA MEMORIAL 

AT

KOLKATA

Victoria Memorial is one of Kolkata’s most recognizable landmarks.This grand building was proposed to honor Queen Victoria’s memory, following her death in 1901. 

The magnificent structure took 15 years to complete and stands at 184 feet (56 meters) tall. Note the building’s hybrid architectural design, which features bulbous Mughal domes alongside Italian-style statues.

The Victoria Memorial is a landmark in the history of Indian Architecture and the credit for that justly goes to Lord Curzon who choose persons like Sir William Emerson, president of the Bristish Institude of Architects, to design and plan the building and entrust the construction work to the very famous Messrs.Martin & Co.of Calcutta.

This huge white-marble museum, made from Makrana marbles from Rajasthan, is filled with a vast collection of remnants from the period of British Empire rule in India.

This memorial dedicated to Queen Victoria provides an insight into Indian History right from the arrival of British to the Independence era.

The best time to visit Victoria Memorial Hall is between October and March when you will conveniently miss the sweaty, humid and suffocating Bengal summer.

The Victoria Memorial Hall is open to the public throughout the year from 10:00am to 5:00pm, however the sales of ticket closes half an hour prior to the closing time of the museum.

The museum is closed to the visitors on every Monday and on holidays like Republic Day (26th January), Holi, Independence Day (15th August), Id-ul-Fitr, Gandhiji's Birthday, Dussehra, Christmas (25th December).

By Air

The nearest airport to Victoria Memorial is netaji subhash chandra bose intl airport , kolkata which is 16 km away from Victoria Memorial.

By Train

The nearest railway station to victoria memorial is howrah jn train station which is 4 km away from Victoria Memorial.

 ADDRESS: Maidan 1, Queens Way, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071, India

    Entrance Fee:

Rs.20	per person for the Museum (Indians)
Rs.200	per person for the Museum (Foreigners)
Rs.10	per person Daily ticket for Garden
Rs.100	per person Monthly ticket for Garden
Rs.1,000	per person Yearly ticket for Garden

    Timings:  All days of the week

    5:30 AM - 6:15 PM (Garden Timings)

TULIP FESTIVAL

Tulip Festival

AT

KASHMIR

Tulip festival is held annually in the month of April when tulips are in full bloom. The garden looks like a silken carpet of bright colored sprawling tulips. Best time to visit is March-April. Spring is when Kashmir is at its most picturesque, and is also the season for flowering tulips. This special time of year is beautifully captured by the Tulip Festival in Srinagar, home to Asia's largest tulip garden. As well as the arresting sight of more than a million blooms, the festival features daily cultural programs, Kashmiri folk songs, sale of local handicrafts, and traditional Kashmiri cuisine.

Nearly 60 varieties of beautiful and vibrant tulips grow in this garden, spread over 5 hectors of land. Tulips remain in bloom just for 15-20 days depending upon the temperature. “Red, yellow, variegated, pink, white, orange, light blue, and magenta are the main colors of tulips. The scene is simply charismatic with floral charm. The view remains in the memory of a visitor forever. Cultural programs, Kashmiri folk songs, sale of local handicrafts, and preparation of traditional Kashmiri cuisine forms an eminent part of the entertainment of visitors during the festival.

Entry to the Tulip Garden is 50 rupees for adults and 20 rupees for children

·          First two weeks of April.

·         Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar, Kashmir. It's located in the foothills of Zabarwan range, overlooking Dal Lake.

MOPIN FESTIVAL

Mopin Festival

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Arunachala Pradesh

Mopin is the harvest festival of the hospitable Galo tribe, focused on the worship of goddess Mopin. It's celebrated to drive away evil spirits, and for acquiring prosperity and wealth. An indigenous folk dance called Popir, performed by young women, is a highlight of the festival. Traditional rice wine (apong), prepared by Galo women, is also served

The Mopin festival plays an important role in the cultural scenario of Galo Adi Tribes. Tribal people dazzle in their traditional costumes and organize the amazing 'popir dance', greatly performed by the female folk. With positioning themselves in a circular queue, they create the roaring sound of their rhythmic steps. One group assemble themselves and chant the sweet words of Ja-Jin-Ja and Baryi folk song, while the following participants complements their song with dancing. Tribal folks don themselves in white clothes and elaborate head gears. Their dangling multi-colored beaded ornaments glitz according to their foot-steps and the sparking sun-rays

The Adi Gallongs in the Along-Basar-Bame area celebrate Mopin festival in the first five days of April. Mopin is thought to bring wealth and prosperity to the households as well as to the village. It is also believed to drive away the evil shadow and to receive the blessing of God for universal happiness. The Adi Gallong villages come alive with the dancing and chanting of their rhythmic songs made livelier by smearing rice powder on each other’s face.

·         April 5, 2016.

·         East Siang and West Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Festivities take place on a grand scale at Mopin Ground, Naharlagun, near capital city Itanagar

·          

TIPU SULTAN FORT

Tipu Sultan Fort

At

Bangalore

Tipu Sultan Summer Palace is the one of the major Historical Attraction of 

Bangalore.

Located in the most crowded market area, Tipu Sultan Fort represents the artistic talent that prevailed in the past. It was originally constructed by Kempe Gowda in the year 1537 using mud bricks.

 It was modified and extended by Haider Ali, who used granite stones in the process. It was Tipu Sultan who completed it during 1791 and it served as his summer retreat. 

The two-storied structure has pillars, carved arches and balconies. It represents Islamic style and you could find a temple of Ganesha, a Hindu god. This throws light on the religious tolerance exhibited by the ruler.

 If you love to go deep into historical facts, you need to visit the art gallery in the fort, which houses historical paintings, photos and carvings.

An inscription on a stone found in the palace describes the palace as an ‘Abode of Happiness and envy of Heaven’

The magnificent palace was built using wood, stone, mortar and plaster, and looks like a one storied pillared pavilion from outside. But the palace is actually a double storied building, typical of this style in architecture.

The walls and wooden ceilings of the palace are painted in beautiful floral motifs on madder red surfaces.

How to get

The Tipu Sultan Palace is located near the crowded City Market of Bangalore, Karnataka, India, at the junction of Albert Victor Road and Krishna Rajendra in the enclosure of the Tipu Sultan Fort. The city of Bangalore is well connected with other metro cities of India by rail and air. Many international flights come directly to the Bangalore city. The city is quite approachable from most of the important cities and towns of South India by road and rail.

Entry Timings: 10 Am to 6 Pm Except Sunday

Entry fee:  Per Person Rs. 5

Entry is free for below 15 years

Tickets are availed in main gate counter.