Guru Purnima is commemorated by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Ashad. It is a day sacred to the memory of Maharshi Ved Vyasa, the ancient saint who edited the four Vedas and wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata, and the Srimad Bhagavatam. Guru Purnima...
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...
In India, Navami is celebrated as the last day of the nine nights of Navratri – the festival in which Goddess Durga is worshipped and revered. In north India, especially amongst the Punjabi community, it is celebrated by holding kanjak or kanya pujan, where young girls, who are thought...
Raksha Bandhan means a thread tied as protection. Securing a thread with sanctity means much more than this. It could be a sister tying a rakhi on her brother’s wrist to seek his protection or it could be a mangalsutra tied by a man when he takes a woman...
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...
India, with its varied geographical divisions and culture, ushers in the New Year for people in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. It is called by various names in different parts of the states down south. Among the few legends associated with Ugadi, there is one pertaining to Lord...
The flawless blend of history, culture, architecture, natural beauty, spirituality, and serenity - Pondicherry is a must on every traveller’s list. It is one of those places that feels as familiar as home no matter whether it is your first visit or the tenth one. Such is the hearty...
Govardhana puja, also known as the annakoot puja, is celebrated in the month of Kartika (October – November) to commemorate the pastime of Lord Shri Krishna lifting the Govardhana parvat (hill) to provide shelter to and protect the residents of Braj (the area covering Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul and Barsana) from...
Chef Manish Kusumwal, the Corporate Chef at Keys Hotels, shares special Onam recipes with India Beckons readers.
Malayalis around the world are celebrating Onam as it is a harvest festival, one of three major annual Hindu celebrations along with Vishu and Thiruvathira, and it is observed with numerous festivities. The...
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....
The spring celebration of Holi sees many parts of India erupt in colour but perhaps the best place to witness it in all its glory is Mathura, home to Vrindavan and Barsana. Here, the festival can last for two weeks. Thousands of tourists descend on the region for a...
Here's how India would truly BECKON in 2020! You could start making your bucket list but before you do that, we would like to share with you our pick of five offbeat spots in the country every adventurer and traveller must explore.
The great French author and Nobel Prize laureate...
Dwarka, one of the char (four) dhams, is a must on every Hindu pilgrim’s itinerary. It has been referred to throughout history as “Mokshapuri”, where the soul attains salvation. It is also known as the kingdom of Lord Krishna, where he came to live after slaying his evil uncle...
Stretching from the arid landscapes of the Sahara Desert to the steamy jungles at the heart of the continent and the Southern wine country, Africa’s vastness and diversity are staggering. After four trips exploring all corners of the continent, I have still only just scratched the surface and never...
Touristy places are incredibly convenient as they boast infrastructure and amenities for the comfort of visitors. But if you are someone who prefers to take the road less travelled and cannot be too bothered with amenities or the lack thereof, India has some fabulous offbeat places to visit. Check...
