What is the best time to visit Bhutan? Is it over-crowded during any time of the year?

Bhutan is a year-round destination but the best time to visit is either in the Spring from March to June or Autumn from September to November. During these months, it can get crowded as there are a lot of American and Japanese tourists who visit Bhutan to experience the famous tsechus or festivals.

Plan your trip around one of the famous Bhutanese tsechus or festivals

Trekkers should travel between March and May to catch the mountains blooming with flowers or between September and November for the best mountain views. If you’ve heard about the rare and endangered black-necked cranes and would like to catch a glimpse of them, then visit Phobjikha or Gangtey between mid-November and mid-December when more than 3000 cranes migrate from Tibet.

My personal recommendation after travelling to Bhutan almost every month in the past 10 months would be to travel between July and August. Even though this is considered to be monsoon time and therefore off season, it is perfect for people interested in nature and photography tours as the rains are not heavy and don’t affect your itinerary. While you sit back in your SUV and drive around scenic locations, you will cross points where you will feel like you’re actually driving through the clouds. The clear blue sky between the clouds is so incredible that it looks like a painting.

Generally, Bhutan is not an overly crowded destination but getting accommodation between mid-March and mid-May, September and October, can be very difficult if you plan your trip at the last moment. So, it’s always a good idea to plan and book in advance to make sure you get the best deal for Bhutan.

By Nishant Jain

Story Behind The Mukteshwar Marathon

If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon. And once you have run enough marathons - organize one. That truly is a life changing experience.

Run Forrest Run

Yes, we run Marathons everywhere - Bhatti Mines (go Google it!), Shimla, Bangalore and the streets of Delhi, Mumbai and Gurgaon. But the idea of organizing a marathon never crossed our minds until Pankaj Wadhwa of Himjoli appeared.

Running for a reason

The motivation was simple. Chirag, a local charity in Mukteshwar runs a school and they needed some help with the fundraising. Could we help them raise money? And so the Mukteshwar Marathon was born over cuppas of coffee in the company of like-minded people. After all, aren’t folks always keen to run for a reason! In this case, they would be running at 2200 meters above sea level.

More Than A Day’s Work

Like I said, the idea was a simple one but executing it was a different job all together.  It required the ability to pull off a website, do promotions, take permissions and get marketing and fundraising done in addition to putting a whole range of logistics together. Fast forward 3 months, it’s the fifth day of May 2013 and the marathon is actually happening. There is a huge flex welcome banner, people are pouring in for the run, everything is set and in place. It’s time for the flag off.

Enthusiasm is in the air!

In the 3 months that I quickly fast-forwarded, we did everything that it takes to execute the marathon thanks to Pankaj, Anurag and the whole team of Chirag. We launched a website, asked for registrations, got permissions in place, did the route planning, organized everything including banners, posters, bibs and goodie bags etc.

The Kick Off

The Mukteshwar Marathon had two categories - Half Marathon (21kms) and Fun Run (5kms). Our theme was - Run at 2200 metres above sea level and run to help educate kids. The bib collection was organized a day before the marathon. We also organized a Kumaoni song and dance by the local school kids on the same day to bring a cultural flavour in to the event.

For a lot of people from the plains, Mukteshwar is a secret hideaway in the hills far from the madding crowds. It is a one horse town about 50 kms away from Naintal that on a clear day offers some breathtaking views of Nanda Devi. So if your idea of a holiday is to go out on lovely walks, watch the mist play hide and seek and enjoy chai and samosa, then Mukteshwar is the place to be.

On 5th May 2013, 7:30 am was the flag off time. Aid stations were all set with Gatorade, biscuits, water and all the good things that runners like. The volunteers were in position. As soon as Vihan waved off the green flag, 150 runners who had came from all over the country sprung to action in one of the toughest runs in India. The running route had some really mean looking climbs.  Our advice to all the runners was: Take it easy and take breaks to smell the flowers.  

All For One, One For All

We runners always knew that running connects people like how! But to see the way the Mukteshwar Marathon connected the natives, visitors, volunteers and the local administration to the love of running was simply amazing.

Thank you volunteers!

Three months before the event, this was just an idea. None of us had a clue on what it takes to organize a marathon. So, it was even more special to see it actually happen. It is like your idea has come to life and so many people all across the country have contributed to it. But none of this would have been possible if MakeMyTrip, B2r.in and Sure wave media had not supported us so generously.

For us Mukteshwar Marathon connected the twin love for mountains and running thanks to Himjoli Baba (as Pankaj Wadhwa is affectionately called). Now that the idea has finally taken shape and been received so well, we will be back with a bang in 2014.

Exploring Buddhism at the Lumbini Festival in Andhra Pradesh

The purity, principles and preaching of Buddhism, the religion founded and propagated by Gautam Buddha still resonate in various parts of the country. They continue to be celebrated not just by thousands of Buddhists in the rocky regions of Ladakh and its many monasteries, but also down south in the state of Andhra Pradesh. As curious and unlikely as it may sound, Andhra Pradesh was a great hub for Buddhists thousands of years ago when the spread of the religion was at its peak in the country and even though most sacred hearts have been reclaimed by the dominant religion in this country, Buddha and his teachings continue to be remembered and celebrated each year in the form of the Lumbini Festival. The festival is held for three days in the second weekend of December and draws thousands of tourists from across the country and other parts of the world.

Buddhism is followed and practiced by a large number of people in India and all over the world

Nothing Religious about It

For those who are unaware of the rich Buddhist culture of this state, Andhra Pradesh boasts nearly 140 Buddhist sites. The festival, named after the birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini in Nepal, is organised by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. It allows visitors the opportunity to not just tour the state and its rich cultural and religious legacy, but also an opportunity to revisit the glory of Buddhism in India. While the festival is organized across the state, the main attractions are at the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, close to Hyderabad, and also in the port city of Vishakhapatnam. While the festival does dedicate events to religious activities such as spreading of Buddha’s teachings to visitors, especially youngsters, this is not a religious festival by any means. On the contrary, it is meant to open the arts, crafts, culture and cuisine of Andhra Pradesh to tourists. Thus, there are food fairs, sporting events, cultural programmes, exhibitions and even fashion shows to mark the occasion.

Sacred prayer wheels at a Buddhist Monastery

A Special Celebration at Vishakhapatnam

Beside the celebrations held in Nagarjuna Sagar, tourists can also head to the port city of Vishakhapatnam which is famous for its Lumbini Festival celebrations. While the city sees a surge of tourists; it is also an excellent opportunity for local artists, sculptors and craftsmen to display their creativity at the exhibitions and fairs that are set up for this exclusive purpose. It presents an excellent opportunity for the locals to display their talents and earn some money from the sale of their creations. During this time, Vizag is usually decked up like a bride and presents a facet never seen otherwise.

The Lumbini Festival is also a great time to visit the many tourist delights of Andhra Pradesh including the many attractions of Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Tirupati and Kurnool.

For all flight and hotel bookings, log on to MakeMyTrip.com!

The Tribal Culture of Dadra and Nagar Haveli

India is a vast country with such varied geological and cultural diversity, that no one can hope to truly explore its myriad facets in a single lifetime. Nevertheless, those who wish to can discover such hidden gems and treasures that will be enough to provide them a rich treasury of memories and experiences. Adding to your experiential bank balance is the exotic Union Territory (UT) of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, located close to the metropolises of Mumbai and Ahmedabad. While it isn’t a place that finds itself on any regular tourist map or route, those who have experienced the wonders of this tiny, seemingly insignificant spot cannot help but regale others with tales. Probably the best time to visit the destination, however, is during the Christmas break in December. Not only is it the perfect time weather-wise, it is also the time of the annual Tarpa Festival, when the tribal cultures and traditions of Dadra and Nagar Haveli’s residents are out in the open for all to admire.

The Tarpa Dance is an essential feature of the festival and a must-watch. Photo Credit: Robert Griner / wikimedia

What is the festival about?

Organised by the district administration, it is an admirable attempt to showcase the UT’s tribal culture while providing tourists with an additional attraction. Although the festival is celebrated throughout, it is of special significance in the capital Silvassa. Led by participants of various tribal groups such as Varli, Kokna and Kolis, the festival signifies four days of dance, music, traditional fare and several exciting competitions. The festival usually begins with an inaugural function, which includes a shobha yatra or procession starting from the stadium grounds and takes a circuitous route to return, after having covered several important parts of the city. There are cultural programmes in the evenings and the days are spent participating in various competitive events such as swimming, boat racing, varli painting, tattoo making, rangoli making, as well as some shayari or hasya kavi sammelans. The festival usually ends on a grand note with a finale night complete with entertaining music and a fireworks display.

Doing the Tarpa dance

The highlight of the festival is the merry tarpa dance, which is an essential component of all of the UT’s festivals and celebrations such as marriages and other important occasions. While it may be a rare sight any other time, this festival is the ideal opportunity to admire the beauty of the dance. It is conducted around a musician or tarpakar who plays the instrument known as the tarpa. Dancers encircle him and perform their dance, singing along in their native tongue as they go round him in merry circles.

The Wildlife Sanctuary at Satmalia

Unearthing the treasures of Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Like a few other destinations in India, Dadra and Nagar Haveli has been heavily influenced by European, especially Portuguese culture, evident in the language, architecture, food and culture of the place. However, it has nevertheless managed to retain its own unique identity and can provide every discerning tourist a veritable treasure trove of experiences. Silvassa is a place of rare and unique natural beauty with thick wooded forests and lakes, ancient churches and museums. It also presents great shopping opportunities with local crafts as well as other items worth purchasing such as tribal masks, traditional jewellery, handcrafted hunting tools and musical instruments. The stunning locales of Dadra, the picturesque trekking trails in Luhari, the wildlife sanctuary at Satmalia and hilly environs of Khanvel with its tribal villages and a variety of flora and fauna – will all add to the experience of a memorable holiday.

Getting there

Silvassa can be reached either by train or road. The nearest railway station is at Vapi in Gujarat. It can be reached by road via the Western Express Highway. Log on to MakeMyTrip.com to book train tickets and holiday packages to this exotic destination. 

Karthagai Deepam- A Festival of Lights in Tamil Nadu

There are brightly lit diyas everywhere you look – on the streets, in homes, in the balconies, in shops and offices. The rest of the country has fallen into a lull after the Diwali bashes, card parties and fireworks, but the people of Tamil Nadu refuse to let the revelries end. Diwali may be over, but Karthagai Deepam has just begun! A festival exclusive to this southern Indian state, it falls in the months of November and December with the festivities continuing for nearly ten days.

Karthigai Deepam is a festival of lights, celebrated in Tamil Nadu

A Festival Rooted in Mythology

Karthagai Deepam is believed to be a very ancient festival, celebrated even before Diwali became a major festival in India. There are ancient myths and legends revolving around the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, which give the festival its mythological genesis. However, while the modern Tamilian will believe these legends and offer prayers to his/her deity, today the festival is more about family gatherings, traditional feasts and a break from work, more than anything else.

Lamps Burning Bright

Celebrated in the month of Karthikaye, Tamil Nadu’s Festival of Lights is a time for extended celebrations with family and friends. Every household makes a rangoli and places a lamp at the entrance after sundown. The day of the actual celebration sees houses light up with hundreds of diyas or floating candles, adding a shimmering magnificence to each abode. The day is also akin to Bhai Duj and celebrates the unique bond between a brother and a sister. As sisters welcome their brothers to the house, they are laden with gifts and promises of protection in return. People feast on traditional fares including delicacies such as vella seedai, karthigai adai, adhirasam and pori urundai, all predominantly made with jaggery, coconut and cardamom.

The ancient city of Tiruvanammali. Photo Credit: Adam Jones adamjones.freeservers.com / wikipedia

A Special Celebration in Tiruvanammalai

Karthigai Deepam has a special significance in Tiruvanammali, a town located on the foothills of the beautiful Annamalai range. An ancient city, it witnesses a surge of tourists, pilgrims and devotees to the famous Arunachalaeshwara Temple during this time. Many come to witness the grand spectacle of the lighting of the mahadeepam or giant flame, which lights up the hilltop behind the temple on this day. While the celebrations here last the customary ten days, they gather momentum towards the latter half with lacs witnessing the lighting of the flame. A special metallic lamp, nearly 5 feet in height, is brought for the purpose and filled with ghee. The wick of this lamp is made with meters of cotton cloth. After sundown the lamp is lit on the hilltop and once its flame is visible in the town below, the temples and houses follow suit, lighting their own candles and diyas, and dressing up the town in thousands of dancing lights. A magnificent spectacle, you’ll agree!

Make the most of your Diwali break and head to the beautiful state of Tamil Nadu to be a part of the festivities. It could also be the perfect excuse to experience the delights of places such as Ooty and Kodaikanal and witness the beauty of Karthigai Deepam. For flight and hotel bookings, log on to MakeMyTrip.com.