VOL 5, ISSUE 3 July-September 2015 Dear Friends, As a child growing up in Delhi, holidays were usually car drives to many easily accessible places. And various destinations in Punjab and beyond always topped the list- Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Shimla the mind is filled with vivid images. Like all self respecting North Indians, food was always an integral part of the holiday, and the indulgence began as soon as we crossed the Delhi border, with stops at simple highway eateries, called dhabas. They served the simplest food, freshly cooked which tasted nothing like what we ate at home. Stuffed parathas with white butter at breakfast, spicy vegetables and day fry with piping hot rotis at lunch time and maybe some more in between! Even today I can remember the flavours so clearly. All washed down with fresh yogurt 'lassi' or cardamom flavoured tea for the adults. Sitting by the side of the road on charpois (wooden cots with tightly strung rope) and enjoying the simple pleasures of life..it didn't get better than that! Visiting these places as an adult always brings up memories, and I am struck by the moderisation of all that was simple and homely. But with time, Punjab has on offer something for the world traveler- interesting sights not yet overrun with tourists, some boutique style, family run hotels offering warm hospitality and an introduction to a simple, proud and warm tribe of people- the Punjabis! I hope this short introduction to Punjab will pique your interest in the area. Please do get in touch with us for itinerary options! With warm regards, Mona & the Indian Vistas team 310, tower C nirvana courtyard, sector 50, gurgaon 122018, haryana, India. Tel.: +91 124 4255066. Info@indianvistas.in www.indianvistas.in
PUNJAB Punjab- Slowly arriving on the tourist circuit! Known the world over for its simple but large hearted folk, warm hospitality and the Golden Temple, the state of Punjab is home to one of the oldest and most distinguished cultures in the country. The state gets its name from a combination of two Persian words Panj (meaning five) and Aab (meaning water). Punjab was known as the Land of Five Rivers- Jhelum, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej and Chenab and hence is an extremely fertile area and the largest producer of wheat and other cereals. PLACES OF INTEREST CHANDIGARH: Conceived by architects Le Corbusier and Maxwell Fry, Chandigarh was the first planned city in independent India. The Open Hand (La Main Ouverte), located centrally in the city, is a recurring motif in Le Corbusier's architecture, a sign for him of "peace and reconciliation. It is open to give and open to receive and represents the exchange of ideas. The office in Chandigarh used by the late architect while conceptualizing the city has been converted into the Le Corbusier Centre. The Centre exhibits the life and works of Le Corbusier to help future generations to be acquainted with the city's rich cultural heritage. Rock Garden - created by Nek Chand, this unusual garden is built of recycled ceramic and throw away items. Quirky and interesting! The Capitol Complex: Consisting of three architectural masterpieces, the Secretariat, the High Court and the Legislative Assembly, the complex is the most spectacular part of the city. Special permits are required to roam the area. AMRITSAR: A blend of tradition and culture, Amritsar is home to Harmandir Sahib, commonly known as The Golden Temple. It gets its name from the golden dome of the structure. It is the epicenter of the Sikh religion and the most important place of pilgrimage for Sikhs. Built in the late 16th century, the main shrine is surrounded by the Amrit Sarovar (pool of nectar). Also part of the complex is the seat of the Sikh temporal authority, the Akal Takhat, the foundation of which was laid in 1606 by Guru Hargobind, who felt that the Sikh faith required a martial tenor. A visit here will always restore faith in god and humanity!
Jalianwala Bagh was the scene of a massacre of Indians demonstrating against British rule. Today it is a memorial garden, with walls still stained with the original bullet marks. Wagah Border The daily parade is a coordinated flag lowering event at sunset, held at the India-Pakistan border. Punctuated with singing and dancing on both sides, it is an elaborate drill characterized by exaggerated dance like steps. PATIALA - A rich princely state formed in the 18th century, Patiala held a position of great importance during the British Raj. Famous for a lavish lifestyle and fine blend of modernity and tradition the people of Patiala have always been trendsetters in lifestyle and education as compared to their neighbors. Qila Mubarak - An outstanding example of Sikh architecture, this palace complex was built in the 18th century by Baba Ala Singh, the founder of the Patiala dynasty. This 300 year old structure has been renovated by INTACH and is listed in India's 100 most endangered monuments Sard Khana & Jalua Khana are the important palaces within this complex. Moti Bagh Palace Built as one of the largest residences in the world and served as the private residence for the royal family until mid 20th century. Today it is the venue for the annual Patiala Heritage Festival. Sheesh Mahal or the Palace of Mirrors was another royal residence. Today it houses a museum and a cultural centre. KAPURTHALA - A small dusty town today, Kapurthala was one of the most important states in Punjab prior to 1947. The secular and aesthetic mix of the city with its prominent buildings based on French and Indo-Saracenic architecture self-narrate its princely past. Jagatjit Palace - Jagatjit Singh, the ruler of Kapurthala, an ardent francophile, built his palace (1900-1908) loosely modelled on the palace of Versailles. Now a boys' school, the interior is lavish, while the gardens are embellished by fountains and statuary in traditional French style. Moorish Mosque is a spectacular example of the secular history of Kapurthala. It is a replica of the Grand Mosque of Marakesh and was commissioned by the late Maharaja Jagatjit Singh in the early 20th century. Villa Buona Vista: This villa was designed by J O S Elmore in the year 1899. Previously, this was a hunting lodge of the royal family and was later converted to a living quarter for the European wife of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh. Other places to see are the Elysee Palace, run today as a private school and the War Memorial, built in Indo Saracenic style, and is a tribute to all uniformed men who made the supreme sacrifice while on duty.
NADESAR PALACE DANCES OF PUNJAB Bhangra - This dance has carried the name of Punjab across all seas more than anything else. Traditionally, Bhangra was a mix of high tempo dance steps, songs and music instruments like Dhol, iktar (a single stringed instrument) and chimta. Performed only be men, it is popular during the Baisakhi festival. Gidda - Gidda performed only by women, the Gidda is a high tempo, energetic dance which manages to showcase grace and elegance by the performers. Performed mainly at weddings, festivals and social occasions, it is popular all over North Situated India. in one of the oldest living cities of the world, on the banks of the river Ganges, Nadesar Palace has hosted royalty, statesmen and celebrities since 1835. The name Nadesar is derived from the Goddess Nadesari, whose shrine is located in the front of the CUISINE Palace. Set OF amidst PUNJAB verdant gardens, mango orchards, marigold and jasmine fields, Nadesar Punjab Palace is a haven major of producer peace and of wheat, tranquility. rice and dairy products which Works form of art the from staple the diet Maharaja's of Punjabi collection people. decorate The region the has walls of the Palace's 10 luxurious one suites. of Embellished the highest with production original pieces of dairy of furniture products refurbished in the to recreate the atmosphere country, of a bygone and era, therefore, the décor dairy of products the rooms form is intended an important to evoke the colours of marigolds, component jasmines, and of pale Punjabi pink diet. lotuses Sarson that are ka offered saag (spinach) to the holy and Ganges. makki ki roti (corn bread) cooked in clarified butter are a dietary Dining staple. at the Nadesar Palace is an indulgent experience starting with breakfast on the sunkissed verandah; a spiritually inspired plated meal at lunch in the dining room, and a Simple barbeque home dinner cooked by the food, poolside. grown in their fields and cooked delicious by the regions' sweet water and family recipes is what To unwind, the hardworking, the Palace offers mainly a round agricultural of golf on population the greens, of a guided nature walk or a day at Punjab the Jiva eats Spa. on On a regular offer at basis. the Jiva Spa is a signature treatment 'Abhisheka' inspired by timehonoured Indian purifying rituals.
NADESAR PALACE The Chapslee, Shimla Formerly the residence of Kapurthala royalty, Chapslee is today a small exclusive hotel. It is home Kanwar Ratanjit Singh who is happy to welcome travelers to his home and his dinner table. Chapslee serves exquisite food, and the host enjoys nothing more than cooking a delicacy and then enjoying it with his guests. Resplendent with heirlooms such as Gobelin tapestries, rare textiles and cabinetry from the Doge's palace in Venice, chandeliers from Murano, blue pottery jardinières from Multan, Peshwa vases, Persian carpets, marble statuary and a collection of Indian object d'arts, Chapslee exudes old world charm. Chapslee offers 05 elegantly appointed suites and a long gone tradition of genteel hospitality is prevalent even today. Citrus County, Hoshiarpur Home to Harkirat Ahluwalia and his family, Citrus County offers you a taste of rural Punjab. 09 tented suites and 03 well appointed rooms in the main farm house are set on a large citrus farm amidst dense greenery. Just soak in the sun and enjoy Punjabi hospitality or you could take a tour of the city to check out local handicrafts, enjoy local cultural events in the village or learn to cook authentic Punjabi food with family recipes. Ranjit s Svaasa, Amritsar A 250 year old British Colonial Haveli, Ranjit's Svaasa has been host to royalty and eminent personalities of all lineage. An 18th century brick construction, it silently echoes within the old trees that overshadow its innate brick-redness.
NADESAR PALACE Ambassador of Ayurveda The government of Kerala, in an effort to boost tourism to the state has recently signed on tennis legend Stefi Graf as brand ambassador for the Ayurveda system of healthcare. India e-tourist Visa The e-tourist visa scheme launched by the government last year has started well. The tourism department announced that they have issued the visa to over 150,000 people from 150 countries in the past 7 months. This is good news for travllers to India, and is an excellent demonstration of the current governments support to the tourism sector.
Our guide in Delhi was wonderful and very knowledgeable. Imperial hotel in Delhi & Sherbagh in Ranthambore was lovely. Our driver was really amazing, he made our holiday wonderful, and we could not see India without him. Thanks to Indian Vistas for organizing a lovely & memorable trip. Samantha, Nicole & Andrea (South Africa) 25th April 2015
HOLA MOHALLA (25-27 MARCH 2016) Hola Mohalla is actually an annual fair that is organised in a large scale at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab on the day following the festival of Holi. Practice of holding a fair of this kind was initiated by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru. Purpose of the fair was to physically strengthen the Sikh community by holding military exercises and mock battles. The festival is celebrated for three days, in which members of Sikh community display their physical strength by performing dare-devil acts like bareback horse-riding, standing erect on two speeding horses, Gatka (mock encounters), tent pegging etc. This is followed by music and poetry competition to lighten the charged up atmosphere. For people visiting Anandpur Sahib, langars (voluntary community kitchens) are organized by the local people as a part of sewa (community service). Raw materials like wheat flour, rice, vegetables, milk and sugar is provided by the villagers living nearby. Women volunteer to cook and others take part in cleaning the utensils. Traditional cuisine is served to the pilgrims who eat while sitting in rows on the ground. For people visiting Anandpur Sahib, langars (voluntary community kitchens) are organized by the local people as a part of sewa (community service). Raw materials like wheat flour, rice, vegetables, milk and sugar is provided by the villagers living nearby. Women volunteer to cook and others take part in cleaning the utensils. Traditional cuisine is served to the pilgrims who eat while sitting in rows on the ground. BAISAKHI (13 APRIL 2016) Baisakhi marks the beginning of the solar year. People of North India, particularly Punjab offer prayers and thanks for a good harvest. Visit to Gurudwaras, Baisakhi processions and traditional performances are the highlights of the day. Baisakhi has special significance for Sikhs as on this day in 1699, their tenth Guru Gobind Singh Ji organized the order of the Khalsa.