|
 |
India is not `just
another’ holiday destination—its
mind-boggling diversity necessitates that
the country is not just traveled through,
rather it is experienced and familiarized
within its off-stream beliefs and peculiar
practices.
Writing in the
19th century, one of the eminent
administrators—scholar of the Raj asserted that India is not a nation but
a “ Museum of Anthropology”. Defined by the
majestic Himalayas in the north and demarcated
by the three seas in the south, India is a
home of multitude of people co-existing at
different levels of culture at the same
time. It is an enigma—a social scientist’s
dream-laboratory, an economist’s nightmare
and a traveler’s El Dorado. North of the
country, separating India from central Asia,
the snow-clad mountains of the mighty
Himalayas, including the world’s highest
peak, Mt. Everest. Perhaps nature couldn’t
be more generous than it is to the
Himalayas. There are steeply rising
snow-clad peaks, deep gorges, breath-taking
white waters, never-ending fertile plains
and jungles with most exotic flora and
fauna. |
The western and eastern coastlines contain endless
virgin beaches with a tropical ambience of coconut
palms and white sands and hinterlands with lush
green rice-fields and meandering rivers. The south
is still covered with great forests harboring a wide
variety of wildlife as well as lagoons and waterways
of great beauty. Secluded island resorts are home to
ancient rain forests and colourful coral reefs.
India is the land of the Tiger as well as
bewildering variety of flora & fauna.
Adding to the physical beauty of
the country, the entire subcontinent is inhabited by
most colourful of people. With 5000 years history of
continuing civilization dating back to the Indus
Valley, one of the oldest cultures of the world,
make for the magic that is India today. During the
course of its varied and colourful history, there
have been rulers of differing religious beliefs and
the diverse mingling of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism
and Islam have given rise to vibrant art and
architecture, seen throughout the journey. Rajasthan, home to a spectacular
collection of princely castles, palaces and forts,
needs a special mention in this regard. Although the
fortunes of its former rulers may be in tatters, the
culture of Rajasthan, with its battle-scarred forts,
its palaces of amazing luxury and whimsical charm,
its riotous colours and even its romantic sense of
pride and honor, is still very much alive.
The ancient Indian scriptures
state that a visitor should be treated like a god.
At Dream India Leisure, we say `Swagatam’ a joyous
welcome, may your journey through our country be a
magical one |
