All posts by allgudthings

I am a traveler who loves capturing each moment which gives me happiness and reason to explore more.

34 best things of life, I am grateful for on turning 34

February 18, 2017 allgudthings 13 Comments

Gosh!! I didn’t realize it’s my 34^th birthday. Am I too old or getting younger? Honestly, the feeling is getting younger and the countdown has started in the reverse order after 30. That means I am 26 now. Isn’t that cool? It is because I have the best things of life with me! I feel that I still have the same youth and happiness as that of the twenties and my friends and family too compliment me on that.

34^thbirthday might sound like big responsibilities, big bills, big talks, big work and so much more. But I purely believe it is up to you how to take your life and your responsibilities. Times do slip out but it’s only you who can decide whether you have missed something or learned more. 34 years have slipped for me too, but I don’t regret anything. I just look back to know what all I have gained, learned and gather as the best things of life.

At times even I do get the feeling that I am almost half way or more than that done with my life journey but what relevance that thought has. Nothing fruitful! Who exactly knows how much way it is? So why should I worry? The simple philosophy now is to cherish what I have today and make my present as the best years of life. I live and want to live each day in a celebration.

So, today in this post, I will be listing my 34 best things of life which I really cherish and I am grateful for.

34 Best Things of Life

The greatest gift life has given me – my soul mate Tashi, who has accepted me with my 100 defects.
My parents who happily helped and supported me in every nick and corner of the world.
My siblings with whom I can talk any bull shit and they will pamper to say a Good Job. Keep rocking sis.
Being married in a great family where In-Laws is just a word.
Being born in a country like India, where there is so much cultural variation but still an utmost feeling of love and brotherhood.
To be born as women who can bear all the pains and still bring a smile to others face.
Having amazing friends, who bring happiness and belly hurting laughter into my life.
Meeting awesome staff that respected me and made me learned every day new.
Learning the real photography to capture all the memories.
Meeting Mridula Dwivedi – the known travel blogger who introduced me to the term travel blogging.
For realizing my passion i.e. Travel! Travel!
For doing what I love doing. I know many of us don’t get the opportunity to follow our passions but that is what my mate helped me in doing.
Being surrounded by people who share the common interest of travel.
For traveling around the world and meeting amazing people and seeing their cultures that I had barely imagined.
Good health that helps me to travel, explore and reach my milestones.
To Tashi for motivating me to start my own blog – AllGudthings – where I share my thoughts, ideas independently and connect with the lovely people of similar niche.
Having a know-how of digital world, social Medias and the marketing tools that remove the physical distance helps to stay connected and up to date.
My blogging friends, many of whom I have never met but have formed bonds on the Internet.
For the motivation, I get through comments and likes on my blog, although being busy in our daily routines.
My travel bucket list which motivates me to save and travel more.
For the ability to trek and see the most unexplored and untouched amazing trails of the world.
Seeing and experiencing the changing colors of sunsets and sunrises at the beaches and mountains.
Gazing at the starry night in the mountains.
Being part of travel communities and groups which make me feel I am on the road always and they do give me ideas on how to grow my blog.
For starting my own venture that gave me a freedom of individuality.
For all the ups and downs in life which have turned me into a more strong human.
The freedom I enjoy because of my family, husband and important credit is to the people who protect my country.
For a wonderful Coffee, that turns my bad day to a Good Day.
Being unequivocally happy and contented
Seeing 34 and still thinking that I am 26.
For having a baby heart which still cries and feels the pain of others.
Parties, festivals, and Laughter with family and friends.
For all the hugs, smiles and wishes of loved ones.
Last but not the least, for being myself, a unique God’s human.

I raise the glass for my 34^th birthday and look ahead for more birthdays to gather best things of life and travel to see the world and make memories.

India, Tourism, Travel

Experience Indian festival on a Holiday Trip – Part II

February 10, 2017 allgudthings 18 Comments

India is a country where each day; one or the other festival can be celebrated, with the equal zeal and enthusiasm. In Part I of Indian festival we discussed the famous festivals for the month of January, February, March, and April. Taking this ahead, here is a guide describing the festivals, their celebration and places to experience for the months of May, June, July, and August.

Indian Festival for month of April, May, June and July — Source: http://www.classictajtours.com

May – Indian Festival

10. Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima is a Buddhist festival that marks the Gautam Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. It is also known as a Vesak day.

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Celebrations: The Buddha followers visit Buddhist temples to listen to the hymns and praise and some of them spend their whole day in the temple on this occasion. Temples display Lord Buddha statue as an infant, in the water-filled basin decorated with flowers. Devotees offer fruits, flowers and light candles on the statue. People are seen dressed up in white clothes and they refrain themselves from consuming nonvegetarian food.

Key Attractions –Various cultural and religious events/ fairs are held like Boodhidroom Mela (which takes place in ‘Boiddopara’ village in Chittagong). In Gangtok, a special procession by monks is carried out carrying Buddha sculptures.

A place to experience– Bodh Gaya, Lumbini, Kushinagar, and Sarnath. Bodh Gaya is the place where Gautam Buddha got enlightenment and at Sarnath, he first taught Dharma. Lumbini is his birth place and Kushinagar is a death place. Other places are Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim.

June – Indian Festival

11. Jagannath Rath Yatra /Puri Rath Yatra

The Chariot festival is one of the oldest Indian festivals happening in India as well as the world. It is associated with lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. Rath Yatra is symboled as a festival of unity as hundred of devotees from all over the world come together to pull the chariots and celebrate.

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Celebrations: The Deities of lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are taken out in procession on huge decorated Chariots (approx 45 feet high) from Puri temple to Gundicha temple which is 2km away. The devotees together pull the chariots. The three deities stay at Gundicha temple for 9 days and return back to the main temple on the 10th day. This return ceremony is known as Bahuda Jatra.

Key Attractions: Three huge decorated chariots and the way they are pulled. Lord Jagannath Chariot height is 45.6 feet high with 18 wheels; Lord Balabhadra chariot is 45 meters with 16 wheels and Subhadra’s height is 44.6 meters with 14 wheels.

A place to experience: Puri in Orissa.

12. Eid –ul- Fitr (Ramadan)

Eid is a fast-breaking festival or the end of Ramadan celebrated by millions of Muslims in the country with lots of devotion and energy. It is a festival of brotherhood. The whole month of fast is known as Ramzan/ Ramadan month.

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Celebrations: Muslims fast from sunset to dawn for 29 to 30 days in this month. They rise before sunrise, take bath and offer prayers. Every evening before sunset there is a feast known as Iftar Parties. The night before Eid is known as Chand Raat. People visit markets, shop and young girls apply Heena on their hands. Everyone greets each other with “Eid Mubarak”.

Key Attractions – Iftar parties during Ramzan; decorated markets and prayer offering on Eid day.

A place to experience– The huge celebrations happen at Jama Masjid in Delhi; Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad; Aishbagh Idgah in Lucknow; Red road and Nakhoda Masjid in Kolkata; Taj-ul Majid in Bhopal; Jama Mosque in Mumbai and Hazrat Bal mosque in Kashmir.

July – Indian Festival

13. Hariyali Teej

Teej festival is celebrated by women and young girls of India; with songs, dances and prayers. The festival marks the union of Goddess Parvati with lord Shiva. It too represents the onset of monsoon season.

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Celebrations: On Teej; fairs are held and swings are put in the courtyard under the trees. Women get dressed and come together to perform Gidda and take swings. Girls also apply Heena and pray to God for their husband longevity. Mothers send Sindhara to their married daughters which include bangles, clothes, mehndi etc.

Key Attractions- Swings, Gidda, Fairs and Gehwar (special sweet)

A place to experience– Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan

14. Hemis Festival

The Hemis festival is a two-day celebration done to remember the birth of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism.

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Celebrations: Locals dress up in their traditional attires. Men wear Cummerbund and women wear headbands with lots of jewelry. The monk performs mask dance known as Cham dance to the songs and tunes of cymbals, drums, and trumpets. The Cham dance is a part of tantric traditions.

Key Attractions- Decorated Hemis Monastery, Cham dance and dressed up locals.

A place to experience – Hemis Gompa, the monastery in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir.

August – Indian Festival

15. Krishna Janmashtami / Dahi Handi

Janmashtami is another religious festival of India, celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Krishna.

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Celebrations– On this auspicious occasion, temples are decorated with flowers. The deity of Lord Krishna as an infant is kept in the swing. Devotees visit temples, sing and dance on the hymns during midnight. They fast throughout the day and break their fast with a feast in the late evening. Small children are dressed up as Lord Krishna and processions depicting their life are carried out. At some places, Raas Lila, depicting youthful naughty flirtatious acts Of Lord Krishna is played. In some part of the country, people play Dahi Handi, where young men form human towers to break the high-hanging pot containing curd.

Key Attractions: Decorated temples, deity of Lord Krishna in swing, Raas Lila, and Dahi Handi

A place to experience: Celebrated throughout India but best can be seen at Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat for Dahi Handi.

16. Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10 day long colorful festival; celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesha. People pray on this day to complete the newly started work satisfactorily without any obstacles.

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Celebrations– The clay idol of Lord Ganesha is installed at home, offices, and Pandal. People pray during morning and evening and on 10^th Visarjan (immersion of idol into the sea, lake, or river) are performed. Other activities include singing, dancing, and food stalls.

Key Attractions: The Handcrafted colorful idol of Lord Ganesha, Pandal decorations and most important is immersion ceremony.

A place to experience- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

This is not the end. Be with us to know and experience some of the more Indian Festival for the month of September, October, November and December.

Click here to read for Indian Festivals Part I (January, February, March, and April)

India, Tourism, Travel

Experience Indian festivals on a Holiday Trip

February 4, 2017 allgudthings 70 Comments

India is a largest democratic country with a diversity of religion, culture, and topography. it is divided to 29 states & 7 Union territories and it holds more than 1.252 billion people in 3.2 million Km square. The country may be divided but festivals and traditions unite the whole India to a single bunch. There are many Indian festivals celebrated on a large scale. Some of them have a religious affair whereas others are for fun and seasonal change. The main motto of each is to bring people of all religions together for bonding and humanity. So, here we are listing the month wise Indian festivals calendar of India.

So, here we are listing the month wise Indian festivals calendar of India. This is the first series of the post and it features the famous Indian festivals for the month of January, February, March, and April.

January : Indian Festivals

Lohri & Makar Sakranti

Lohri is celebrated on 13^th January and Makar Sakranti on 14^th January mostly by Punjabis in Punjab, marking the winter solstice (on the last day of desi calendar POH) and harvesting of Rabi crop. The farmers associate Lohri also with the beginning of the new financial year.

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Celebrations –It is celebrated by dressing in traditional clothes, lighting bonfire, throwing gur, sesame seeds, moongfali into the fire, singing folks songs and dancing around the fire. During the day, young children also go door to door singing folk song “Sundar Mundaria” and asking Lohri. The children are treated with sweets and savories and occasionally money too. In some parts of Punjab especially Amritsar Kites flying is done on the terraces with loud music.

Key Attractions – The special food includes Sarson Ka Saag & Makki Di Roti; Jaggery, Gachak, Rewri, Moongfali and Til Laddu or Til Rice.

A Place to Experience – Whole of Punjab

Pongal

Pongal is celebrated from 13^th to 16^th January in South India to represents the beginning of harvesting and the newly harvested rice is cooked. The festival Pongal is considered equivalent to Makar Sakranti.

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Celebrations –Houses are cleaned and decorated by rangolis. Bhogi festival is celebrated on the first day where people light the bonfire in the evening. On the second day, worship is done by offering milk to sun God. The third day known as Mettu Pongal where a cattle is worshiped and on the last day, Mukkanuma people visit friends and relatives to enjoy festivities.

Key Attractions – Everyone is beautifully dressed up, Rangolis, Pongal dishes, sweets, and cattle races.

A place to Experience – Tamil Naidu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana.

Also Read: The best Indian Foods you need to try

February : Indian Festivals

Vasant Panchami

Vasant Panchami initiates the spring festive cycle and people worship Maa Saraswati.

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Celebrations- People celebrate the day by wearing yellow clothes, eating sweet dishes and displaying yellow flowers. In Punjab, people fly Kites and dance on the music too. In Rajasthan, people mark the day with yellow garlands and in Gujarat women play dandiya dance.

Key Attractions – Yellow clothes, good delicious food, kite flying, and dances

A place to Experience – Punjab for Kite flying and Gujarat for Dandiya.

Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri; a Hindu festival is celebrated to honor Lord Shiva.

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Celebrations- Devotees of Lord Shiva fast during the day and sing praises and hymns during nights. At some places, Jagraans are held throughout the night. Temples are beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, and offerings of sweets, fruits, wood apple leaves and milk are made on Shivling. The aura of the whole environment smells sweet.

Key Attractions– Decoration of Temples and sweets

A Place to Experience –Maha Shivratri is celebrated throughout India. Major celebrations take place at Ujjain temple and there is a special Shivratri Mandi fair in Himachal.

Losar festival

The Losar festival marks the beginning of Ladakhi or Tibetan New Year.

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Celebrations- The celebrations take place for 15 days where the first 3 days are considered as the most important days. There are humorous events like deer dance and amusing battles between the king and his minister. Apart these offerings made at the shrines and general dances happen. Images of Deer and other symbols are carved in kitchen and doors to welcome New Year.

Key Attractions – Dances, deer dances, mass prayers and offerings, local beverage (Chhaang) is served.

Place for Experience – Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh

March : Indian Festivals

Holi

The festival of colors is celebrated throughout India for two days with lots of zeal and enthusiasm. All the friends, families come together to play. It is believed this festival strengthens up bonding and end up any misunderstanding in the relations.

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Celebrations –Holi is played with colors and water in both dry and wet form. Water balloons and water guns are thrown by children as well as adults to color and wet each other in various shades. A night before playing, Holika bonfire is lightened and people pray, dance and sing around it. Bhang Thandai, as well as pakodas, are served as prasad in temples on the day of Holi.

Key Attractions – Holika Bonfire, colors, water Balloons, water guns, Bhang

A Place to Experience – Holi is played intensely across the whole country but the vibrant and musical one can be seen in North India. The best one happens in Vrindavan and Barsana. At Kullu in Himachal, there is a 40 day long Holi fest. To know more about it, read here

Also read the Best place to celebrate Holi

April : Indian Festivals

7. Ram Navami

Ram Navami another Hindu Indian festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Rama.

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Celebrations – The temples are decorated with flowers. A small deity of Lord Rama as the infant are kept in the cradle and devote swing the cradle to shower blessings as a ceremony. Some of them keep fast for the whole day. In South, India people worship this day as the marriage day of Lord Rama and Sita. The processions are performed on the streets with the deities of Lord Rama and Sita.

Key Attractions – Decorations of statues of Lord Rama, Sita and Laxman, Prasad, chanting of religious hymns and prayers.

A Place to Experience– Ayodhya( Karnataka)& Uttar Pradesh; Sitamarhi (Bihar); Rameshwaram (Tamil Naidu); Bhadrachalam (Andhra Pradesh); Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)

8. Baisakhi

Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi is a Punjabi festival celebrated on 14^th April, the harvest festival of the Punjab region.

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Celebrations – On Vaisakhi people get up early, take bath and visit Temples and Gurdwaras to express gratitude to gGodfor harvest and good times in future. During day farmers get together to harvest the rabi crop and drums are played around it. Fairs are organized and men and women are very jubilant. They dress up well and perform Bhangra and Gidda, the folk dances of Punjab.

Key Attractions – Vaisakhi fairs, gidda, bhangra, wrestling competitions

A Place to Experience – Punjab, and Haryana

9. Bihu

Bihu is the North-East Indian festival. There are three Bihu festivals celebrated in Assam– Bohaag (Baisakhi; celebrated in April); Maagh (middle of January); and Kaati (Kartik, celebrated in October) coinciding with the harvest months. But the Bohaag is the main one.

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Celebrations – The celebrations include famous Bihu dance with the beats of Dhol and Pepe (buffalo hornpipe). The songs are sung with themes around love and they carry erotic tones. Everyone is dressed up in traditional attires like dhoti, Gamocha, and Chadar, Mekhala.

Key Attractions –Traditional attires, Bihu dance and playing instruments, bull fights, bird fights, local cuisine like coconut ladoo, til pitha and fish pitika

A place to Experience – Assam

There are many religions in India, and each community has their own traditions, culture, and festival. This is just the Part 1 of the series of Indian festivals calendar covering the months January, February, March, and April. Stay tuned to read the next posts where you will get the glimpse of the rest of the Indian festivals.

Also Read: What to wear in India

Himachal, India, Tourism, Travel

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls & Accessories: The Gift of Valley

January 27, 2017 allgudthings 30 Comments

Kullu Manali is the most famous and favorite holiday spot among tourists or travelers to Himachal. The Kullu valley’s natural beauty binds one with its peace and aura. The views, temples, parks, trek, apple orchards, snow-capped mountains in the valley are picturesque and represent a true picture of tranquillity. Apart from this one can experience and be part of the handicraft paradise too. Yes! I am talking about BHUTTICO Kullu shawls and accessories.

Bhuttico Kullu Shwals & Accessories - gift of Kullu valley

What is Bhuttico?

Bhuttico stands for Bhutti weavers Cooperative Society Ltd of Kullu. It was set up in 1944 in the remote village of beautiful Himalayas by 12 weavers from Bhutti village. Bhuttico cooperative society is the one cooperation with its own weaving shed and housing colony. The colony is equipped with all facilities for its workers and the workplace provides the best benefits to its workers including pension, gratuity.

Bhuttico Kullu Store — Source – www. http://wikimapia.org/

The Bhuttico cooperation has more than 700 weavers on its rolls. It maintains all the quality parameters while manufacturing and testing. Bhuttico stores are present both nationally and internationally and they sell their product under the name and trademark of Bhuttico.

This society is an inspiration; as it focuses on weaver’s welfare along with safeguarding the local artistic craft.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls & Accessories

There is an extensive range of neutral as well as colorful handmade and loom weaved Bhuttico garments. The first one and most famous is-

Kullu shawls & Stoles

The variety of shawls at Bhuttico store ranged from traditional Kullvi to modern designs. They were available in Pashmina, angora, merino and local sheep wool. The pure Pashmina shawls were in light shades ranging from Rs. 4500 – Rs 6000; whereas all other varieties of Kullu shawls and stoles were available in bright, dark, light colors as well as embroidered patterns. The price ranged from Rs. 600 – Rs 1500. I personally liked the stoles for their colors, designs, and material. They were soft, light as well as warm and I ended up buying 4 -5 pieces.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawl Variety — Bhuttico Kullu Shawls

Kullu Doru & Pattu

These are the local traditional Himachali dresses awesomely colorful. Tourists often get themselves dressed in these for pictures.

Kullu Caps, gloves & woolen socks

Kullu caps is the another attraction. The variety include Kullvi, Lahauli, Kinnauri, and Malana. I could make out the slight difference in all these caps categories but all of them were super colorful and warm. The price for all caps ranged from Rs 200 –Rs 350/-. The woolen socks and gloves too available were colorful, handmade and loom weaved. The price for these ranged from Rs 150 – Rs 200 (I am not joking).

Kullu Ties, Mufflers & Scarves

The ties available at Kullu Bhuttico showroom were in a solid color, wool material, and self-prints. The other option was in typical Kullvi design. On average, the price ranged between Rs 200 – Rs 350/-. Mufflers for men and scarves for women also were also available in different varieties of wool and designs. The price for these scarves and mufflers varied from Rs 200 – Rs 1000/.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls — My Bhuttico Collection

Kullu Pullas

Pullas are the grass slippers used by Himachali women in Kitchen. The base is made with the fiber procured from the bark of a bush called cannabis (Bhang) and the upper part with goat hair which is further decorated with colorful threads. They are considered to be warm and comfortable. I loved them and brought these. Price for the same ranges from Rs 100 – 150/-.

Sleeveless Nehru Jacket & Woolen Shirts

The other garments included sleeveless Nehru jacket and woolen shirts available in different sizes and colors. The pure wool fabric for stitching can also be brought and I brought a piece for a shirt.

Handbags

The other small but awesome collection was of handbags and clutches in wool fabric and Himachali patti designs. This simple clutch with any attire will give it is a fashion blend and the price for same ranged from Rs 500 – 1000/-.

Bhuttico Kullu Accessories — Source – www.bhutticoshawl.com

Where to Shop Bhuttico Kullu Shawls and accessories

Bhuttico Kullu garments and accessories can be purchased both from online and offline stores. There are in total 31 offline stores and the majority of them are in Himachal. For online shopping, one can buy here.

What to consider before shopping Kullu Shawls and accessories

To purchase authentic Bhuttico Kullu products, check the “Handloom mark” as well as the GI patent tag. Check these marks here in the picture.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawl Trademark — Source: http://farbound.net/

So, it is worth treating yourself, your friends and relatives with these warm gifts from Kullu valley.

From Kullu Manali, you can head for the most adventurous road trips. Check the itinerary for Leh Ladakh road trip and Lahaul Spiti road trip.