Month: February 2018

An Overview On The Spectacles Of The Khajuraho Dance Festival, 2018

Located in the Bundelkhand region, the town of Khajuraho is famous for its group of Hindu and Jain temples. The temples inspire awe due to the intricate rock carvings that depict scenes from the past. The temples, the paintings and the sculptures portray the magnificence of the Chandela dynasty and their appreciation of art in … Continue reading “An Overview On The Spectacles Of The Khajuraho Dance Festival, 2018”

Located in the Bundelkhand region, the town of Khajuraho is famous for its group of Hindu and Jain temples. The temples inspire awe due to the intricate rock carvings that depict scenes from the past. The temples, the paintings and the sculptures portray the magnificence of the Chandela dynasty and their appreciation of art in all its forms. The Indo-Aryan sculptures and architecture is an ode to love and passion and are a tribute to the revered deities.

The historical and religious sites, that are in abundance in the state of Madhya Pradesh attract tourists from all over the world. With the Pench, Bandhavgarh and Panna tiger reserve, dotting the state along with the vast expanses of flora, the place has an offering for every wandering soul. The convergence of the multiple cultures make the state a haven for many a cultural programmes that take place throughout the year. One such event that takes place during the Spring and that which is anticipated for months in advance is the Khajuraho Dance Festival. The festival is to take place on the 20th of February and is slated to span a week.

Spectators from every corner of the world converge to make this event a global success. The festival takes place amidst the backdrop of the UNESCO world heritage sites and provides a platform for every Indian dance form to manifest themselves. The spectacle upholds the tradition and art that the country is known for, making it one of the most vibrant festivals of the year. The dance festival was inaugurated in the year 2002 under the Kala Parishad, inviting performers to contribute to this spectacle. Dance forms ranging from Shiva’s Tandav to Vishnu’s Raas Leela, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak and a lot more are brought to the world by dancers of exquisite skill and expertise. The entire week is dedicated to the art, music and classical dances making the state of Madhya Pradesh the epitome of a cultural melting pot.

The Chitragupta and Vishwanatha temples in particular are chosen as the site for the festival to be displayed in all its glory. The vast open air auditoriums at these temples provide the perfect platform for the dances to be performed. The entire festival that is displayed through elaborate costumes, melodious tunes and the sheer display of talent that bring to life the contributions of various unnamed artisans and sculptors indeed makes for a surreal experience. The festival serves as a reminder and an ode to the years of yore when cultural festivities ruled the day and was more commonplace than they are now. Although the ravages of time is evident within the ruins, the place does not fail to inspire.

The city of Khajuraho has its own airport and railway stations and are well connected to all the major sites. Buses, taxis and private vehicles are used to commute throughout the city.

Enlist i4u Travel Services, your trusted guide when in Madhya Pradesh and have all your travel concerns taken care of and your itinerary customised.

Top 4 Reasons That Make Madhya Pradesh Perfect For Solo Travelling

Travelling solo all over the country indeed makes for a surreal experience. A welcome respite from the frenzy that families and friends provide, solo travelling is the ideal way to be one with your soul. Seasoned backpackers would vouch for the excitement that one encounters while travelling on their own, making for some highly entertaining … Continue reading “Top 4 Reasons That Make Madhya Pradesh Perfect For Solo Travelling”

Travelling solo all over the country indeed makes for a surreal experience. A welcome respite from the frenzy that families and friends provide, solo travelling is the ideal way to be one with your soul. Seasoned backpackers would vouch for the excitement that one encounters while travelling on their own, making for some highly entertaining episodes that would be forever cherished. Yes, a bit of courage from your end is all that you need before venturing out.

The state of Madhya Pradesh, usually referred to as The Heartland of India provides the ideal backdrop for you to let go and have a whale of a time. The place is steeped in history and one feels a sense of supreme spirituality wash over with every new town that is explored. The national parks of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Satpura that are renowned for the high density of tigers and other wildlife is what the state is most renowned for. Not to mention the series of temples, palaces and more that dot the land, making it the perfect spot to unfurl your wings and take in everything on offer.

Bhimbetka Caves

Craving a slice of history? Hitch a ride to the elusive caves at Bhimbetka and witness the paintings, the carvings and sketches that serve as a testament to the lives led by our ancestors. The cave paintings that depict the earliest traces of life are estimated to be around 30,000 years old and beyond. Visit the cave shelters and remain in awe of the history unfolding right in front of your eyes.

Safaris

Cruise through the lush greens atop a Jeep and take in the exotic wildlife and flora on offer. Kanha National Park, ranked amongst the Top 10 tourist places in India make a stunning scenery with tigers and antlered-stags roaming around in peaceful harmony. The Jeep rides are usually a family affair but taking in the sights with the constant cacophony that serves as at backdrop can at times take away from the experience. Be prepared to indulge in memorable moments and get to know the animals through the expert commentary by your guide.

Gastronomical Extravaganza

Travelling whether on your own or with your pack accompanying you demands that you eat and eat a lot. And what better place to let go of your diet than the very Heart of India? With baflas, dhoklas, bhutte ki kees, spicy chaats, jalebis, piping hot gulab jamuns and much more to satiate your insatiable cravings while you are hopping from one site to the other, the streets of MP serve as a treasure trove for food enthusiasts. And no, you don’t have to share that plateful of bafla with anyone either if you are travelling alone.

The Marble Rocks Of Bhedaghat

The white rocks with tinges of green make for a surreal spectacle across the Narmada river. These natural rock formations are one of the many offerings of Jabalpur and the awe-inspiring views are best enjoyed when you are all on your own. Fun fact: The place is the source for marbles that are carved and sent all over the country.

The vast offerings of Madhya Pradesh can be overwhelming to say the least. Enlist the assistance of i4u Travel services, one of the most renowned in the business and have all your concerns taken care of in an affordable fashion.

Visit them at their website at the earliest if you want to indulge in a bit of soul-searching!

Things To Know Before Witnessing The Wonders Of Madhya Pradesh

The chirpy streets of Madhya Pradesh, filled with colours and frenzy, is indeed a travellers’ delight, especially if you are from UK. Starkly different from the slick roads that are often coated with snow in the UK in winter, the Heartland of India defines the country’s vivacity and the cheerful chaos that permeates from every … Continue reading “Things To Know Before Witnessing The Wonders Of Madhya Pradesh”

The chirpy streets of Madhya Pradesh, filled with colours and frenzy, is indeed a travellers’ delight, especially if you are from UK. Starkly different from the slick roads that are often coated with snow in the UK in winter, the Heartland of India defines the country’s vivacity and the cheerful chaos that permeates from every corner. The sights, the smells, the delicacies that are offered though are breathtaking can at times be overwhelming for tourists who are accustomed to gentler climes.
Even the more seasoned of travellers who get to encounter a multitude of cultures when in the midst of Madhya Pradesh, tend to be engulfed by the magnitude of it all. The place, however, is a sight for sore eyes, especially if you are travelling from a different continent. From the abundance of flora and exotic fauna at the Bandhavgarh National Park to the series of temple towns and palatial structures that harken back to the glorious history, travellers from abroad are guaranteed to have the time of their lives. Take a look at a few of the essentials that need to be kept in mind when you are en route Madhya Pradesh, India.

Cash A Plenty

Converting most of your pounds into the Indian rupees is advisable way before you head out to the state. Unlike the vendors abroad, quite a lot of shopkeepers who sell their wares on the roadside and in smaller stalls do not have an access to card readers. Make most of your payments in cash while you are travelling on tuk tuks, cabs and rickshaws and avoid inconveniences. The more rural parts of the state, ones where you’ll find all the goodies will warm up to you more if you have cash instead of cards on you.

Research

A lot of research needs to go into the making of a memorable trip. Indulge in extensive research as to the sights and attractions that the state has to offer and ensure that a sufficient time is allotted to each of the sites. In a race to cram every one of the places into the travel itineraries, the charm of it is almost lost on the travellers. Look for the best places to camp at or the popular eateries around, the best deals before cruising through the national parks at Bandhavgarh and Panna and others and you are good to go.

Get Your Paperwork In Order

An Indian visa costs around £57 and a UK citizen can apply for e-visas twice a year. According to the Indian High Commission, citizens of the UK who would be staying under a month are allowed a double entry e-Tourist visa. The visa is valid for upto 120 days after its issue. However if you are staying over for more than a month, the rates go up, making the price of the visa exceed £119.44. Go through all the required documents and photographs before and during your travel and be sure to keep everything under strict supervision.

Be Prepared To Eat And Shop Like You Have Never Done Before

From Bhutte Ka Kees, hot and succulent jalebis to poha and mouth watering chaats, treat your taste buds with an experience as you roam through the alleys of Madhya Pradesh. These same alleys are also a treasure trove of souvenirs and merchandise that you can take back home to. Maheshwari sarees, handmade carpets, jewellery at prices you can only dream of, handbade bags, crockeries, showpieces and much more are the staples of Madhya Pradesh. Be sure to indulge in them.

The state of Madhya Pradesh, surrounded by mountainous ranges and dotted with temples and historical sites transports travellers into a whole other realm of colourfulness and frenzy.   Be sure to travel extensively with the assistance provided by i4uTravel Services, your safest bet to tour the state and have an experience unmarred by hassles and untoward instances.