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Culture/Tourism

Taj Mahal, Agra India is often described as a tourist paradise. From the mighty snow-capped Himalayas of Kashmir in the north to the shimmering seas of Kanyakumari in the south, the verdant deltas of Sunderbans in the east, the world's largest protected eco-and-game reserve to the historic forts and shrines of Rajasthan to the west – India has everything that the footloose traveller would like to sample.

Butlers, discounts...Hotels pack in delights for Games visitors

By Sugandha Pathak

New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS) High-end hotels have lined up much more than a warm welcome for Commonwealth Games visitors! Awaiting them are discounts at spas, personalised butler services, complimentary access to clubs, theme-based cocktails and culinary delights as part of special packages.

Responsible tourism: Kerala involves local communities

By Madhusree Chatterjee

It's called responsible tourism. The travel trade in Kerala, India's most tourist-friendly state that is advertised as "God's own country" for its natural beauty, is beginning to rope in local communities and the environment to cater to a growing number of visitors with sensitivity.

Gypsy travels: Caravan tourism arrives in India

By Madhusree Chatterjee

New Delhi/Khajuraho, Aug 7 (IANS) A seven-seater caravan carrying a family of four from Britain cruises along on a single lane between Orchha and Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. The rain has left a cool shroud of moisture in the air.

Prayers for immortal love at tomb of legendary lovers

By Anil Sharma

Binjore (Rajasthan), June 16 (IANS) As the sun set on this dusty village near the India-Pakistan border, the sounds of qawwalis (devotional music) rent the air and hundreds of couples from across the country lay a chadar (sacred cloth) on what they believed to be the tombs of the legendary lovers Laila-Majnu with a prayer that their love too would be immortal.

In Bhutan, development is in pursuit of happiness (Letter from Thimphu)

By Sarwar Kashani

Where on the earth would you find farmers who willingly vacate their homes and hearths to let rare birds have a shot at life? In environment-conscious Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, also called Drug Yul or "The Land of the Thunder Dragon".

Circumnavigating Indian vessel leaves South Africa for Mumbai

Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel, Mhadei, currently on a solo circumnavigation of the globe, started on its last leg for home from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa Tuesday, a defence spokesperson said here Wednesday.

Kanyakumari gets more adventurous for tourists (IANS Travel)

Kanyakumari, March 14 (IANS) A visit to Kanyakumari in the southernmost tip of India is almost always synonymous with watching the sunrise at the Vivekananda Rock. But visitors will soon have a lot more - be it trekking, bird-watching or even bungee jumping.

Under twinkling sky, bike through Rann of Kutch marshlands

By Shilpa Raina

New Delhi, Feb 17 (IANS) How about navigating the stars while biking it through the vast marshlands of the Rann of Kutch in western India? Not even mosquitoes will dare give company in the harsh clay desert, mind you.

FIFA World Cup to lure Indians to South Africa

New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) The 2010 FIFA World Cup is all set to lure Indians to South Africa, with an Indian event management company being roped in to create special travel packages, TV commercials and other promotional activities.

Two forts near Mumbai to get facelift for tourists

By Quaid Najmi

Mumbai, Jan 31 (IANS) Two coastal forts, including one built by erstwhile Portuguese rulers not far from Mumbai, will be renovated and transformed into major heritage and tourism attractions within the next three years.