Konark Dance Festival

India is well known for pampering of art and dance. One such example is the Konark dance festival in Orissa. Every year in the month of December, Orissa Tourism and Odissi Research Centre, organises this dance festival, accompanied by a craft fair and a food festival. It is an aesthetic feast to the dance lovers. Celebrated dancers across the country perform Odissy, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Manipuri etc in the open air auditorium at the Sun temple in Konark.

The Sun Temple in Konark has been designated as a world heritage site. It is an architectural wonder specially for its 'Natamandir' or 'dancing hall'. The artistic designs like musician playing drums, cymbals, odissy dance poses are very intricately sculptured on the wall of the mandir. And it is the venue of the world famous dance festival. The festival takes place in open air in the auditorium.

During the festival the beats of ghungroo, tabla, and rag take the people in a completely different world. These five days festival is a great tribute to the majestic monument. Famous classical dancers around the world get together during these five days festival to give the world their best performances. And during this time the whole Konark dance with them. The place becomes so lively with music, tal, loy and sound that it looks like the court of Lord Indra.

Konark dance festival provides a platform to performing artists of the world and to the upcoming artists ,who are yet to get international recognition. There is also a craft mela and food festival during that time, where variety of handi crafts and tasty cuisines can be enjoyed. This experience of life time is definitely a cocktail of art, craft, music, dance and food.
The first Konark dance festival was organized in 1989 to promote tourism in Orissa. And now it is one of the famous festivals in India.

In 2008 this famous festival is from 1st - 5th December.

Diwali and Bhai-dooj

Diwali is the festival of light. It is the most auspicious and grand festival celebrated in India with great enthusiasm and warmth. Being a festival of light diwali symbolizes victory of light over darkness. During the festival the whole India is illuminated with light, lamps, candles and diyas. People all over the country decorate their house with lights and diyas and burn crackers.

On this special day people exchange gifts, buy jewellary and worship Lakshmi for prosperity. All this celebrations has mythological significance. Diwali is the main festival of Hindu in India and it is a festival of family get togetherness. It is an occassion of feasting and exchanging gifts.

Two days after diwali is the bhaidooj. This festival glorifies the relation ship of brother and sister. During the festival the sisters pray for brothers by performing special puja and put 'tilak' on their forhead for their welbeing and the brothers swear to protect their sisters when need arises.

Hampi festival Karnataka

Every year in the month of November the Govt of Karnataka organizes the Hampi festival to revive the spirit of Hampi. Hampi was once the capital of glorious Vijaynagar Empire now only has the ruins of temple, elephant stables, stones and palaces. Vijayanagar Empire is one of the greatest empires in the history of India comes alive during the Hampi festival.

The festival lasts for three days. Renowned artists from all over the India gather there with their best performances. This festival is also known as the vijaya Utsav. During the Hampi festival the quaint life of Hampi revivrates with dance, drama, music, fire work, puppet show and specular procession.

During the festival the whole place is mesmerized by the graceful dance stepings, soothing music and other artistic activities. Firework, procession, puppet show take people to their by gone era. The festival revolves round the local culture and people of Hampi and they also bring their art and culture to the rest of the world and entertain the wide eyed tourist. Once again during the festival the local people boast of their Hampi culture.

Hampi is 354 km. From Bangalore and is always folked with tourist but during the festival it gets colourful and lively with various display of arts.

Getting there
Hampi is well connected from Bangalore or other south Indian states.

Staying there
There are neither plenty of hotels nor deluxe hotels in Hampi. Only economic class hotels are available with proper arrangements for fooding and lodging. There are some lodges available with hygienic and basic amenities. The hotels of Hampi are best place to explore the place and they really give the feel of the place.

In 2008 the Hampi festival is on 3rd 0 5th Nov.

Id ul Fitr

Id ul Fitr is one of the important festivals of Muslims. In India it is celebrated all over the country. Idul Fitr is celebrated on the first day of the Shawwal, the tenth month of the Muslim calender. Id is the end of the month long fast of Ramjan. And it is the occasion for celebration and thanking Allah.


During Ramjan, devotees fast from sun rise to sun set. No food or drink is allowed to be taken during this period. On the day of Id, they break their fast, wear new clothes and go to mosque. Women prepare sweets at home and children get presents from their elders. They go for 'Id Miloni' or get together of friends and relatives. One most important aspect of this festival is charity. Muslims contribute money to the poor people. It is the day declared by the prophet Mohammad to establish peace and harmony. People celebrate the day with great spirit and happiness.


In 2008 the Id ul Fitr will be either on 1st or 2nd October, depending upon the moon. All the mosques of India organize prayer (namaz) in the open area on this auspicious day.

Wishing you all Id Mubarak.

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.