Mountain Biking Rally Shimla

Mountain biking rally of Shimla is an exciting event for the bikers. This is the 4th time the Shimla based Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association, in collaboration with tourism and civil aviation department, is organizing this mountain biking rally. It will start on 27th September and continue till 6th October. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal will flag off the 680-km rally from Shimla on Sep 27. The finish podium is set at Manali on the 5th October. 6th October is reserved for the prize distribution ceremony.

There are 82 participants including 6 women who are expected to join the rally. The participants are from India and abroad and they are all set to face one of the toughest challenges of the world. The route will be Shimla, Mashobra, Shilaru and Manali.

The adventurous people around the globe gather here to witness this exciting rally. There is also provision to become a part of this experience by signing up for the volunteer programme - volunteer will get the same facility of fooding and lodging like the riders. It is really an exciting opportunity for the mountain lovers, if not as a rider but as a volunteer to feel the excitement, thrill and spectacular destination and stages of Himalaya. It is really a real test of endurance of the riders.

Hospitality world Mumbai 2008

'Hospitality world Mumbai' is an exhibition basically an opportunity to build up business relationship. This exhibition delivers a comprehensive trading information where exhibitor and visitor accomplish the business. It shows the huge gathering of hospitality professionals and suppliers and creates a healthy atmosphere for conducting business. The event has started on 24th September and will be over on 26th September. This time the venue of the event is Bandra Kurla Complex Mumbai.


Hospitality world is one of the very renowned hotel and food supply annual trade show and it is extensively promoted within the business circle of India. This trade show is organised by one of the India's most famous media conglomerate – The Express Group, and held under the banner of most respected hospitality trade publication – Express Hospitality.


The profile of the people who attend this event are generally CEO s, business owner, general manager, architects, executive chief, interior designer, consults, manager and industry experts. The targeted exhibitors of this event are companies/ firms dealing with utensils, glass ware, ready to eat food, furniture and furnishings, decorative items, water heating system, air conditioning system, spa product, sports product etc.


The theme pavilion include bakery world, spa and wellness world, energy zone, to provide you maximum information to these key sectors.

Qutub Music Festival

The name itself gives us an idea about the festival. Every year in the month of October or November, Delhi tourism organizes this musical bonanza for the music lovers in the premises of the historical structure Qutub Minar. This festival is meant to highlight the magnificent monument and showcase its past glory and majesty to the world. Qutub Festival continues for two long days and consists of performances by internationally famous artist and music maestros, breath taking performances of Indian folk, classical and other genres of dance.

During this festival the area around Qutub Minar reverberates with qawwalis, sufi songs, music recital and rhythm of dance. Fusion music of contemporary band or groups also perform in this festival. Infact the delhiites are completely immersed in the rhythm of various sounds of music in this festival. During this festive time the national and international music lovers also enjoy the traditional cuisines from Madhya Pradesh, North East States, and Rajasthan and it is really an added romanticism to the moon lit night on the back drop of this historical monument. Witnessing such event is really a great treat to one's senses.

Showcasing the finest cultural art form in the country this festival brings this historical monument at the fore front of national and international importance. It is only an attempt to restore the historical monument.

Special bus services are available from JNU, Jamia, North Campus and East Delhi during this festive time.

Pushkar Fair

About the Fair - The full moon of November – Karthik Purnima - brings excitement to Pushkar for this is when the world famous camel fair takes place in the main as well as the surrounding area of the city. Every year around 200000 traders from around the world with 50000 camels gather here for camel trading. Many people associate Pushkar fair with the world's biggest camel fair, but this is much more than that. People from far and near gather here to enjoy life. They make the tranquil land colorful and loud with their folk music, dance, and puppet show. Pushkar has great religious significance. It is believed that people gather here during Pushkar fair to take a dip in the holy lake of Pushkar to wash away their sins. And seeks the blessings of Lord Brahma. It is customary to float lighted earthen lamp on the water of the lake. The view is really spectacular when the sacred lake twinkles with earthen lamps and camel fair at the back ground. This lake has 52 ghats and an array of temples along its bank. Pushkar is considered as one of the five dhams in Hindu mythology. Here lies the only Brahma temple in the world.

The City During the Fair - The streets of Pushkar are very narrow and there is very less motorized traffic in the main bazaar. But during the fair, the extraordinarily mystic and amazingly small town of Pushkar gets packed with people and camel. These narrow streets are filled with fancy stall, interesting shops, hotels and temples. During the fair this land of Brahma shows how creative the creator is! Poets, musicians, directors, actors from all over the world become crazy to witness this vibrant festival. Over the five days fair many animal cow, goat, cattle, horse, camel are purchased and sold. Little animals know which master it will serve after the Pushkar Mela. Apart from the animals the shop keepers tickle traveller's fancy from hippy – chick minidresses to didgeridoos. It seems that woman keep less interest in trading and they are fascinated by silver ornaments, hair pin, bangles and other accessories. Tie & die and garment patch work are also fabulous. And the taboo stall gives the woman a mark of beauty. Pushkar is Rajasthan under one roof during the fair.

Highlights of the Fair - The description of Pushkar fair will be in complete without mentioning the activities that the camels do. The trading actually begins before 5 days of the Karthik Poornima. On that full moon day trading is over and actual count down for fun and frolic starts. Camels become very fashionable those days. The proud owner of the newly purchased camels decorate their camels with beautiful bead ornaments. Scarf, hand made saddle to fit the hump and make them ready for the show, like musical chair, camel race and most thrilling event is the 'laadoo oonth' shows how much weight the camel can carry.

How to Get There - Pushkar is 11 km away from Ajmer but separated from it with Nag Pahar or Snake mountain. Nearest airport of Pushkar is Jaipur and rail station is Ajmer. Ajmer is well connected by train with Delhi ,Agra, Udaipur, and Jaipur.

Lodging - Elaborate arrangements for staying of visitors are made including luxury tents during the Mela, otherwise Pushkar has plenty of lodging facility though not fancy but cleanly white washed.

The tarrif reaches sky high during the Pushkar fair as the demand is very high, but if one has negotiation skill then there is nothing to worry.

2008 Pushkar Fair - The 2008 Pushkar Fair will be starting from 7^th Nov till 13^th Nov .So hurry up and start planning.

Buddha Purnima - Birthday of Lord Buddha

Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism has millions of followers all over the world. Every year, to commemorate the birthday of Buddha, Buddhist across the world celebrate Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti. One of the most important festival of Buddhist, Buddha Purnima is celebrated in the Hindu month of Vaisakh, usually falls in months of April or May. In fact, Buddha Purnima day marks three important events linked to Lord Buddha such as his birth in 623 B.C, his enlightenment in 588 B.C and attainment of Nirvana. That’s why followers of Buddhism across the globe, consider the festival day most auspicious and celebrated in their own way.

Buddha Jayanti is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Bodh Gaya in Bihar and other places like Lumbini and Kushinara. Buddhists from all over the world visit Bodh Gaya to participate in the grand celebrations. On Buddha Purnima Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya is tastefully decorated with colourful flags and flowers.

The festival is also celebrated with great fervour Sarnath town of Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring county of Sri Lanka. Buddha Purnima is called Vishakha Pujain in Sri Lanka. Besides Sri Lanka, Buddha Purnima is celebrated in countries like Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Tibet, Korea and Japan.

On the Buddha Purnima huge prayers are organised and sermons on the life of Buddha is presented. Buddhists also do continuous recitation of their holy texts and worship the statue of Buddha. Buddhists beautifully decorate their homes and illuminate their homes, temples and streets with colour lanterns and electric lights.

Buddha Purnima Date : 20 May

Easter - A Festival of Christians

One of holiest festivals of Christian, Easter is celebrated to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after three days of his crucification. An ancient festival, Easter also marks the arrival of the spring season and end of chilling winter.

Historically the Easter festival like other Christian festivals emerged from ancient pagan roots. Easter is an amalgamation of a myriad of Pagan, Herbew and Christian traditions. The festival incorporates pagan symbol of fertility in the shape of the Easter bunny and Easter eggs.

Initially the Easter festival was confined to the church, but with passage of time the festival celebration became synonymous with merry-making, fun and enjoyment. In fact, the last couple of decades have witnessed increasing commercialization. Now the festival is marked by the exchange of greeting cards, gifts, sweets, chocolates, easter eggs, marshmallow bunnies, peeps, and jelly beans.

Easter Date in 2008 – 27th April

Taj Mahotsav - An Arts and Crafts festival

When talked about Agra, the virtual picture Taj Mahal comes in everybody's mind. One of the seven wonders of the world Taj Mahal draws tourists from all over the world. Built around 350 years ago, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the white marble monument still maintains its old charm. Besides the Taj Mahal, Agra is also known for its annual event called Taj Mahotsav. In fact, the charm of Taj Mahal and the city increases many folds during the Taj Mahal Utsav.

A yearly event Taj Mahotsav is held close to Taj Mahal between February 18 and 27. A 10 days event, Taj Mahotsav is organised by the Tourism Department of Uttar Pradesh. Also known as the Taj Mahal Utsav, the festival venue is Shilpgram. Taj Mahotsav showcases the art and craft of the region and also provides a wonderful chance to savour the traditional delicacies.

Usually the festival begins with a impressive procession of elephants and camels. Invigorating beats of drums and impressive performances of folk artists made the mahotsav more lively. In addition to Uttar Pradesh, the arts, crafts and traditions of other parts of country are also displayed in the Mahotsav.

During the festival you can have a fine glimpse of rich cultural heritage and unparalleled legacies of India. You would be surely pleased after experience the rich culture of Uttar Pradesh. Exquisite arts and crafts, delectable cuisines, soothing music and lively dance add more to your experience. Brass and metal ware from Moradabad, wood carvings of Saharanpur, Badohi's handmade carpets, the pottery of Khurja, chickan - work of Lucknow and silk sarees of Benaras (Varanasi) are some of the highlights of the event. Amongst the music and dance performances, folk music and dances of Dundelkhand, Nautanki (drama), Sapera (snake) dance of Rajasthan and Lavani of Maharashtra are main attractions of Taj Mahotsav.

So gear up soon and visit Agra this February to participate in the Taj Mahotsav. You will get a never before experience and return your home with lifelong memories.