Following the period of austerities of shraddh, Navratri flags off the festive season of dance and divinity. During the Navratras (Navratri), Durga is worshipped and invoked with kalash, flowers, and prayers.
Folk legend says the evil forces of demon Mahishasura posed a threat to humanity. All the gods combined their resources...
An ancient history and one of the most incredibly diverse cultures – this is the India that BECKONS travelers from far and wide. Testaments to its heritage are many. Just take a look at the splendid palaces standing tall and proud in all the four directions. They speak of...
Trupti - a word I truly understood the meaning of when I attended the Palki Utsav held at Shri Chitrapur Matha in Shirali (Uttar Kannada) yesterday on the occasion of Kartik Poornima - which is celebrated with a lot of gaiety and pomp in most parts of southern India....
Going to Belgium made me experience a lot of new things as it was not just a new destination but my first international trip as well.
The day came and I took an eight-hour-long flight from Delhi to Brussels. The flight was comfortable and I ended up sitting next to...
The best way to start the day is with a mug of piping hot aromatic tea. Brew it, steep it – it does not really matter how you like it. There is nothing more rewarding than taking a refreshing sip and feeling it energize your body and mind! Did...
We are pleased to share a few Holi recipes with our readers by the Chefs at Byke Hospitality. Attached are the recipes of Puran Poli, Gujiya and Thandai Mousse - all ideal for the Holi feast.
With 17 hotels and resorts in India currently, The Byke provides you budget hotels...
Holi – that wonderful festival that conjures up images of rang, bhaang, gulal, abeer, and water pichkaris. It also reminds one of the childhood days, the complete abandonment with which kids play Holi and their oblivion to any notions of health or environment, as may be the case.
In India,...
Before there were plates, there were banana leaves. This uniquely Indian tradition of eating on a banana leaf goes back thousands of years, before we used plastic, steel, or indeed anything else to make plates. Easily disposable and environmentally friendly, many Indian communities continue to follow this tradition today,...
After sleeping (in nidra) for the four-month Chaturmas period, Lord Vishnu is said to awaken on probodhini (awakening) ekadasi, also known as the devutthani (Lord's awakening) ekadasi. This is an auspicious day, not only because the Lord is awakening from his slumber but also taking charge of his duties...
It is said that in order to truly connect with yourself, you have to disconnect from the world. And, when you come to think of ways to disconnect, camping in the wild has proven to be one of the most effective ways to do it. Imagine, sitting in the...
With the advent of the Shravan of the Hindu lunar calendar, a number of people in the northern states of India and parts of Nepal gear up for Teej. Also known as Hariyali Teej, the festival marks the bounty of hariyali or greenery that the monsoon bestows upon the...
It is that time of the year when the pleasant February air BECKONS travellers who enjoy winter breaks much more than the summer ones. Usually, people run to warmer locales in winters (running away from the chills) but Himachal Pradesh is another story. It makes you fall in love...
One only needs to look at India’s numerous forts to understand just how much history and culture exist here. For centuries, rulers have left their mark so that today these symbols remind us of what a rich past we have. Strolling through shadowed hallways, it is easy to feel...
Yes, right! What’s a trip to Lucknow without looking into its culture through its most famous embroidery work - Chikankari? This gorgeous thread work has become the lifestyle of the gorgeous city, making it globally a favourite!
Intricate and beautiful, the Chikankari work – a type of embroidery - is seen...
