Photo Credit: Dilpreet Singh They fought long and hard, they did not make it to the finals; yet the spirit and spunk shown by Hyderabad SunRisers is awe- inspiring! 

Olde Bangalore Hotel & Resort

Unlike most business hotels, Olde Bangalore lives up to its name and offers a trip back in time. Accommodation is provided in cottages – luxury tents, complete with all the modern amenities. Though room service is not available, due to the nature of the accommodation, South Parade, their restaurant offers fine dining in a charming, old-worldly ambience. You can even shake a leg at the hotel’s dance floor. The hotel has a bar, a coffee shop and a bakery, which churns out freshly-made breads, muffins & pastries every day. Olde Bangalore is 14 kilometres from the airport.

Olde Bangalore is a beautiful blend of old world charm and modern facilities

Fantasy Golf Resort

Located about 6 kilometres from Bangalore airport, Fantasy Golf Resort is an oasis of greenery and calm. The resort offers conference facilities and has a theatre style hall. It’s perfect for corporate off-sites, offering plenty of indoor and outdoor activities. Food is prepared fresh upon order. Unwind at the end of the day by playing a few rounds on their putting green or take a dip in the pool. The resort also has a club with an in-house DJ, so you can truly let your hair down.

Clarks Exotica Resort & Spa

Nestled in 70 acres of greenery, Clarks Exotica is another great hotel near Bangalore airport (11 kilometres). There is a business centre and boardroom and the hotel offers video conferencing facilities. Their multi-cuisine restaurant, Blue Alps serves a variety of dishes and there is a poolside bar, Illusion. Room service is also available. Relax at the spa or the library or get active in the well-appointed gym or the games centre.

The multi-cuisine restaurant at Clarks serves a variety of delicious dishes

Hotel Presidency

This is a budget hotel in Bangalore, just 1 kilometre from the airport. Hotel Presidency is an ideal transit hotel and also offers a room for a 4-hour checkout if you’re just passing through the city. Even if you plan to stay longer, it’s a nice, cheap hotel in Bangalore that has a business centre as well as a rooftop venue for small events. Nandanvana, their multi-cuisine restaurant, serves freshly-prepared, delicious food. The rooms have all the modern amenities, with interesting old-fashioned wooden flat bolts on the doors.

Goldfinch Retreat

Goldfinch Retreat is one of the finest 4-star hotels near Bangalore airport (7 kilometres).  The rooms are tastefully done up with all amenities; some suites are also available with a kitchenette. The hotel has a fully-equipped business centre and conference rooms. The restaurant, Banjara, serves traditionally cooked Indian food as well as Chinese & Mediterranean fare. Unwind at Aviator, the lounge bar, or at the massive, round pool. Service is hospitable and they provide a complimentary airport transfer on request.

Gorge on a variety of scrumptious delicacies from around the world at Goldfinch Retreat

Planning a trip to Bangalore? Book your flight and train tickets only on MakeMyTrip.com!

The holy text of the Bhagavad Gita

Mythological Roots

It is believed that Kurukshetra is the land where the real essence of Hinduism was founded. The area is named after King Kuru, who was the ancestor of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. It is also known as Dharmakshetra or the Holy City and this is where the epic battle of Mahabharata is said to have taken place. It’s the place where the Gita was preached, which became the philosophical guide for Arjuna as he battled not just the Kauravas but also his inner demons. The Bhagavad Gita provides answers to all the problems in life and it is the most sacred text of Hinduism. Other ancient texts such as Manusmriti, Rig Veda and Saam Veda are also said to have been composed in Kurukshetra. The Gita Jayanti festival celebrates the religious importance of this region as well as the holy text.

A scene from the Mahabharata | Photo Credit: Arnab Dutta / Wikimedia

The Festival

The festival is characterised by several spiritual activities such as recital of shlokas from the Gita, bhajans and katha readings (reading of stories from the Gita). Other activities include dance, dramatisation of scenes from the Mahabharata and Sufi music. There are book exhibitions and medical camps as well as discussions and talks by Hindu scholars and charity events. Local arts and crafts are also on sale. Devotees usually take a bath in the holy waters of two of the tanks in Kurukshetra – the Brahma Sarovar and the Sannihit Sarovar. The festival is held for a one week, with the Gita Jayanti being celebrated on the 11^th day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Margasheersh.

Getting there

Kurukshetra is well-connected by road and rail with major cities in northern India. Delhi is the nearest airport. There are couple of mid-range to budget hotels in the town and you can get great last minute deals on MakeMyTrip.com. Apart from attending the Gita Mahotsav, other places of interest include Jyotisar, a small town 12 kilometres from Kurukshetra, which is said to be the place where Krishna delivered the Gita to Arjuna. There are several temples, ghats and gurudwaras in Kurukshetra as well as the Krishna Museum and the Kalpana Chawla Planetarium. There are several other cultural and religious festivals celebrated in Haryana that may be of interest.

Immerse yourself in this historical festival celebrating the Bhagavad Gita. Book your train or bus tickets to Kurukshetra only on MakemyTrip.com!

Bangalore has no dearth if interesting things to do and places to visit

Vivanta by Taj

If you’re looking for a luxurious stay in Bangalore, look no further than Vivanta by Taj. A great location coupled with the Taj hospitality, this hotel will ensure that you have a wonderful stay in the Garden City. Located at Trinity Circle on M G Road, the hotel is close to business areas as well commercial streets. Try and get a room with a view of the pool. The hotel has several top-class restaurants – Cafe Mozaic for pan-Indian, Memories of China that serves an inimitable Peking duck and the European restaurant, Graze. The hotel also has a business centre and a boardroom with all facilities.

The luxurious Vivanta by Taj in Bangalore

St. Mark’s Hotel

Another gem of a hotel, St Mark’s Hotel is located very close to M G Road and has a great view of the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. The 4-star boutique hotel is known for its impeccable service and the rooms are large and equipped with modern amenities. Dine at Curry with a ‘K’, their fine dining restaurant or have a sundowner or two at Luscious, the resto bar. The hotel also has a rooftop terrace garden that serves snacks and drinks throughout the day.

The rooftop terrace garden at St. Mark’s offers beautiful views and delicious food

JuSTa The Residence

One of the boutique luxury hotels at M G Road Bangalore, juSTa The Residence has quiet rooms even though it’s just off the bustling commercial street. The interiors have seen the deft touch of a fashion designer, with hand-picked furniture and touches of contemporary art all around the hotel. The hotel has a multi-cuisine restaurant and offers a complimentary buffet breakfast. The metro station is close by as are the shopping and entertainment areas of M G Road & Brigade Road.

The Chancery

An opulent hotel at Lavelle Road, The Chancery is perfect for a business or leisure stay and it’s just off M G Road. The rooms and suites are large and tastefully done up, with all amenities, including Wi-Fi connectivity. The complimentary breakfast buffet is quite generous. The Khayal restaurant serves authentic Awadhi cuisine and you can also enjoy live ghazals as you dine. Their South Parade restaurant is open all day and also offers a sumptuous midnight buffet.

The Monarch

The Monarch is one of the budget hotels in Bangalore, located on the lively Brigade Road, off M G Road and is especially suitable if you’re planning a long stay in the city. The recently renovated rooms and suites are well-furnished and the bathrooms are fitted with a bathtub. Their kitchens serve up good Indian and Continental food. If you’re looking for variety, just step outside and you will have a range of good restaurants at walking distance. Despite its prime location, it’s one of the cheap hotels in Bangalore.

So book your flight and train tickets on MakeMyTrip.com and have a pleasant stay in Bangalore.

Photo Credit: Dilpreet Singh

While the opponents huffed and puffed, SunRisers Hyderabad rocked and rolled! 

What is CSR?

CSR has a very broad definition, though anything that a company does beyond its economic objectives to improve the society in which it operates can be termed as CSR. The term is generally used interchangeably with philanthropy and sustainability. In India, given the country’s great divide between huge economic growth and large-scale poverty, CSR assumes greater importance as it gives companies a chance to give back to society in a sustainable and continuous manner. Many companies have internalised this philosophy and ASSOCHAM’s CSR Excellence Awards aims to appreciate these companies in a public forum so that more companies are encouraged to follow suit. For the year 2012-2013, India’s leading steel company, Tata Steel, was the recipient of CSR Excellence Awards in the Large Corporates category.

Over the years, the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been given high importance by corporates

Delhi Calling

If you plan to head over to the capital city for this event, there are many accommodation options especially since the venue of the event is in central Delhi. The venue itself, Hotel Taj Mahal on Mansingh Road, is the epitome of luxury and a great base for your trip. Le Meridien at Janpath is a good mid-range option, 2.2 kilometres from the venue. For the budget traveller, Hotel Janpath at Connaught Place (3.7 kilometres) is a great option. MakeMyTrip has several last minute deals on these and many other hotels in Delhi, so be sure to check them out.

The variety of food in Delhi is legendary and there are numerous places to eat at. Also, there are plenty of shopping options and things to do in the city. The city also has a buzzing nightlife, especially in the Connaught Place area.

Connaught Place, one of the liveliest areas in Delhi

Getting to the Venue

If you’re arriving at Delhi by train, the New Delhi railway station is about 6 kilometres from the hotel and you can easily get a taxi or rickshaw to the venue. Delhi’s airport is a good 15 kilometres away from the hotel and a prepaid taxi from the airport is the best way to get to the venue. The Delhi Metro has made it quite easy to get around the city. The closest metro station to The Taj Mahal Hotel is the Khan Market Metro Station, which is merely 550 metres from the hotel.

So, head over to Delhi for the next edition of the awards this December.  Plan your trip and book your flight or train tickets only on MakeMyTrip.com!

Transforming Education

The Awards were conferred in various categories, such as Best Higher Education Institute, Best Institute Promoting Research, Best School for Innovation & Value-based Education, Best Interactive Solution Provider and more. The awards were given by the Union Education Minister Mr. Pallam Raju. The eminent jury included former cabinet secretary Mr. Surendra Singh and former UGC Chairman Prof. Sukhdev Thorat, to name a few. The participating institutes were judged on the criteria of innovation, scalability, achievements and impact potential. Some of the winners include VIT University, Vellore (Best Higher Education Institute), Manav Rachna International University, Faridabad (Best Private Upcoming University) and TAPMI, Manipal (Best Business School in South Region). IIT Delhi’s Certificate Course in Business Management was awarded for the Best Use of Technology. This is a commendable initiative by ASSOCHAM to address the challenges faced by the education system and to bring about reforms.   

Education Excellence Awards recognize the importance of higher education in India

Finding Your Bearings in Delhi

The award ceremony takes place in Delhi and the capital city offers many stay options to suit all budgets. The LaLiT New Delhi is a great place to stay at if you’re looking for a luxury hotel. It is located in Connaught Place, about 3 kilometres from the venue. The venue itself, The Imperial, is a good 5 star hotel. For a budget stay, try Hotel Janpath at Connaught Place (2.5 kilometres). MakeMyTrip has several last minute deals on these and many other hotels in Delhi, so check them out before booking your stay. There is a mind-boggling variety of food in Delhi and there are numerous places to eat at. Also, there is no dearth of shopping options and things to do in the city. Delhi’s nightlife, especially in the Connaught Place area, is worth experiencing.

The Imperial Hotel in Delhi, the venue of the event

Getting There

If you’re arriving in Delhi by train, the New Delhi railway station is about 3.7 kilometres from the venue and you can get a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to bring you to the hotel. The airport is 14 kilometres away from The Imperial. You can book a prepaid taxi from the airport to bring you to the venue. Getting around Delhi is quite easy, thanks to the excellent Metro services. The closest metro station to Hotel Imperial is the Udyog Bhavan Metro, which is less than a kilometre from the hotel.

Will you be heading to Delhi anytime soon? Book your flight or train tickets to Delhi only on MakeMyTrip.com!

Bangalore, the beautiful Garden City

Hotel Empire

Located on Central Street, just off Infantry Road, Hotel Empire is a nice, budget hotel in Bangalore. It is located at a walking distance from the major commercial areas of M G Road and Brigade Road. The hotel chain has two other properties – in Shivajinagar and in Koramangala – so you can choose a location that is most convenient to you. The hotel staff is friendly and will make sure you have a comfortable stay. Their kitchen is open till late, so ordering in food even at 2 AM would not be a problem! Don’t forget to try out their special chicken kebabs and biryani.

Sherwood Suites

Not too far from the  IT hub of Whitefield is Sherwood Suites, a serviced apartment complex, which is just right for your budget business trip to Bangalore, especially if you plan on a slightly longer stay and don’t wish to splurge on accommodation. The suites have all the modern amenities as well as 24X7 housekeeping facilities. Complimentary buffet breakfast is included. Their kitchen serves delicious, freshly prepared food and there is also a dining hall, a coffee shop and two party lounges.

Trinity Suites

Trinity Suites are boutique serviced apartments located at the Trinity Circle on Bangalore’s high street, MG Road. Since it’s close to the army grounds, the rooms are quiet, despite the proximity to the bustling commercial areas nearby. The corporate office hubs of Richmond Road, CMH Road and Indranagar are close by, as are the shopping areas of M G Road, Brigade Road and Commercial Street. You can avail great discounts if you opt for a longer stay. The rooms are large and tastefully furnished; laundry services are available and breakfast is complimentary.  

Hotel Bangalore Gate

If you’re looking for budget hotels near Bangalore railway station, Hotel Bangalore Gate would be your best bet. Merely one kilometre from the City Railway Station, the hotel is located on Kempe Gowda Road. It’s an ideal location for a short stay close to the city centre. The rooms have been recently renovated and are well-appointed. The staff is warm and professional; there’s a restaurant on the ground floor serving vegetarian food and you can use their high speed Wi-Fi free of cost.

Enjoy delicious South Indian food in Bangalore

Pai Comforts, J P Nagar

Another good budget hotel in Bangalore is Pai Comforts at J P Nagar. A part of the Pai group, this 2-star hotel offers multiple packages, including a day use room as well as long stay packages. The rooms are spacious and come with all the amenities you’d expect in a business hotel. The vegetarian restaurant, Princess, serves an excellent South Indian thali. The hotel has a rooftop banquet hall that is ideal for conferences. Complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the premises is also available.

Planning a trip to Bangalore? Book flights and trains only on MakeMyTrip.com and also avail great last minute deals on hotels!

One of the many beautiful temples in Khajuraho

Celebrating Tribal Dance Forms

One of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, Khajuraho has become famous as the land of Kamasutra due to its medieval Hindu and Jain temples depicting erotic sculptures. But this sleepy town is so much more than that. It hosts the Lokranjan Festival annually, which is a celebration of the various tribal and folk dances of Madhya Pradesh. The festival is a big draw for dance enthusiasts and tourists alike. It is a platform for various tribes from the state to showcase their unique dance forms. The dance takes place amidst the remarkable temples of Khajuraho and juxtaposed with the temple sculptures, it’s truly a treat for the senses. The festival also makes an effort to preserve the Indian cultural heritage and several of its dying art forms. For the five days of the festival, this ancient town comes alive with music and dance.

A temple in Khajuraho depicting erotic sculptures

Where to Stay

If you are visiting Khajuraho, there are several hotels for you to choose from. For a luxurious stay, look no further than The Lalit Temple View. As the name suggests, the hotel is a short walk (1 kilometre) from the temple, which is the venue of the Lokranjan Festival. Hotel Usha Bundela is a good mid-range option, about 1.2 kilometres from the venue. For the budget traveller, Hotel Lakeside is a great place to stay at and is practically next door to the venue. MakeMyTrip offers great last minute deals on hotels so check these out before you book your stay.

Getting There

Khajuraho airport is well-connected and operates direct flights to many parts of the country. The airport is 4.5 kilometres from the temple site. A prepaid taxi will bring you to the venue. If you’re arriving by train, the railway station is about 8 kilometres away and a bus or taxi will get you to the venue. Apart from the temples of Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh has many other attractions to offer. The national parks of Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench make great detours. Bandhavgarh has a large number of big cats and you have a high probability of sighting a tiger here. The national park is 232 kilometres from Khajuraho and easily accessible by road.

Also visit one of the national parks in Madhya Pradesh including Bandhavgarh and Pench

So get ready to witness the unique and fascinating tribal dance forms of Madhya Pradesh at the Lokranjan Festival this year. Book flights and trains to Khajuraho only on MakeMyTrip.com!

Thepla, one of the many comfort foods of Gujarat

All those who have had the chance to relish a Gujarati meal will agree that food is definitely one of the biggest assets of this state. How I wish one could relish these flavours in just any part of the world! And there, we have Ahmedabad Sweet and Snack Tec, calling all restaurateurs and chefs from all over the world to be a part of this international conference on packaging and preserving food items. Gujarat was also one of the first places in the world to develop preservation techniques with salt. It is therefore befitting that India’s largest fair dedicated to the preservation and packaging of snacks, sweets and confectionery items, Ahmedabad Sweet and Snack Tec, is held here. Ahmedabad Sweet and Snack Tec is the leading international exhibition that is held annually and this year the dates of the event are December 10-12, 2013.

The mouthwatering dhokla, another one of Gujarat's most popular dishes

Covering the major areas in sweet, snack and confectionery industry, the exhibition is an excellent business opportunity for local brands to put forth their business ideas related to packaging and processing. The key areas that the exhibits shall cover are refrigeration, quality management, processing techniques and distribution. Whether you are looking for clients, new equipments and supplies for your business or just promoting your ideas, this event is the place to be. The venue of the event is Gujarat University, Convention and Exhibition Centre in Ahmedabad. This three-day long conference attracts exhibitioners and visitors from all over the world and the average footfall this year is estimated to be around 10,000.

MakeMyTrip offers cheap flights to Ahmedabad and several hotel deals that will make your trip not just comfortable but easy on the pocket too.