Wondering how to make the best of the holidays in 2019? Here's a ready-made guide.
Text & Photos | SATARUPA PAUL
2019 is here! And the New Year brings with it a new calendar of long weekends
and holidays — perfect for several short vacations, across a range of landscapes,
activities and interests. Whether you prefer snow-speckled mountains or sunny
golden beaches, a dose of heritage or a cultural immersion, safaris through
lush jungles or long drives in the mountains, we’ve got it covered. And if you can
manage to cash in a few leaves here and there, plan ahead and travel smart, you
can even check a couple of those much-anticipated international trips off the list.
Take your pick from our selection of destinations from across India and abroad,
and make 2019 a year of great travels and memorable experiences.
JANUARY
Jan 12, Saturday
Jan 13, Sunday
Jan 14, Monday: Makar Sankranti / Pongal
Recommended Holiday: Rann Utsav in the Great Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
Imagine a salt desert — its expanse flat, stark and vast, stretching into the far horizon all around; the salt glistening like crystals in the sun and shimmering an unearthly white under the glow of the moon. Now place a lively tent city and an exhilarating carnival of
music, dance, food and crafts somewhere in this magical landscape that is the Great Rann of Kutch, and what you have is a celebration of this magic — the Rann Utsav.
Every year, during the winter months, a grand Tent City of nearly 400 tents comes up near Dhordo village, about an hour or so away from Bhuj in Kutch, offering a range of
accommodation options, from basic non-AC tents to plush premium ones. A carnival is held here every day, showcasing traditional music and dances by cultural troupes from across Gujarat, mouthwatering arrays of Kutchi delights and colourful displays of intricate Kutchi embroidery, folk textiles, mirror work and other local arts and crafts.
You can embark on local day excursions to attractions such as the bird sanctuary of Chhari Dhand or the archaeological site of Dholavira. If you’re in Ahmedabad, the Uttarayan or International Kite Festival could also be on your cards. The Sabarmati Riverfront can be your go-to location to fly kites or just lie down on a terrace to watch the sky become the perfect background for colourful and quirky kites wafting through the bright blue skies. On the sidelines, you can visit the Kite Museum in the city which stores a collection of unique kites, go for a heritage walk or indulge in undhiyu (a
winter preparation of banana, yam and beans) and jalebis.
MARCH
March 2, Saturday
March 3, Sunday
March 4, Monday: Maha Shivratri
Recommended Holiday: A vineyard vacation in Maharashtra
March is the time of the year when many of the different varieties of grapes grown in India are harvested and prepared to be turned into wine. A quick vacation at one of the vineyards in prime wine country Maharashtra is thus, a great way to spend a long weekend this month. Sula Vineyards, one of the biggest wine producers in India, offer 32 rooms at their luxury resort called Beyond By Sula in Nashik. Tucked between the rolling hills of Gangapur and overlooking the serene Gangapur lake, the resort offers a tranquil stay and the finest wine from Sula. Also near Nashik and set in the green belt of Trimbakeshwar Hills is V Resorts, offering luxurious studios and villas and access to local vineyards. About 25 kms away from Pune, the Four Seasons Vineyard at Baramati is another resort and winery to visit.
***
March 21, Thursday: Holi
March 22, Friday: Take leave
March 23, Saturday
March 24, Sunday
Recommended Holiday: A Holi bash in holy Pushkar, Rajasthan
Deep in the desert state of Rajasthan lies the mystical town of Pushkar, surrounded by the Aravalli Hills. Pushkar has a large lake with tiered ghats that lead to old havelis and numerous temples, one of which is the Jagatpita Brahma Mandir. According to Hindu scriptures, this is the only Brahma temple in the world, which makes Pushkar one of the holiest sites for Hindu pilgrimages. But pilgrims aren’t the only ones who travel here. Attracted by the town’s spiritual energy, hippies from around the world have been coming to Pushkar since the 1960s, and many of them call this town home. Locals in colourful traditional attire and backpackers and budget travellers add to the delightful mix of people here, making Pushkar one of the liveliest places to visit in India.
And there’s no better time to experience the energy of this place than during Holi, when its people come together on the streets to celebrate with a party unlike any! Thumping electronic music, a sea of revellers splashed in colours, lassis laced with bhang
and malpuas make the Holi bash here a must-attend.
APRIL
April 13, Saturday
April 14, Sunday: Ram Navami
April 15, Monday: Vishu (Restricted holiday) / Take leave
April 16, Tuesday: Take leave
April 17, Wednesday: Mahavir Jayanti
Recommended Holiday: Sojourn by the sea in Maldives
Maldives, one of the world’s most beautiful and sought-after destinations, is a fabulous option to make the most of this holiday — especially now that its capital city Malé is a direct, barely four hour-long flight away from India. The real charm of Maldives may lie in one of its atolls, and Malé may often be dismissed as a transit destination. But this city, with over 1,00,000 people crammed into a 1.7 km-long island, has a few charms of its own that are worth exploring, such as colourful houses, street graffiti, peppy eateries and bustling markets.
Over 80 of Maldives’ 1,192 coral islands are entirely taken up by luxury resorts, most of which offer stays in water villas — the highlight of any trip to the country. Steps lead directly from your bedroom or private deck to the ocean below and provide easy access for snorkelling and swimming in the stunning calm blue waters of the Indian Ocean. The sea around a few of the islands is conducive to surfing and diving.
***
April 18, Thursday: Take leave
April 19, Friday: Good Friday
April 20, Saturday
April 21, Sunday
Recommended Holiday: Marvelling at tulips in Srinagar
While Jammu and Kashmir is an all year-round tourist favourite, the spring season is when Srinagar enjoys its time in the sun. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden here has a lot going for itself. Overlooking the Dal Lake in Siraj Bagh and nestled on the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range, it’s has a sheer variety of tulips that are the absolute show stealer. With stretches of tulips in red, yellow, purple and pink spread across an area of about 30 hectares, Asia’s largest tulip garden is well worth the hype. Need another reason? The Tulip Garden is just 18 kms away from the airport. There are also a couple of stalls that sell local handicrafts and art. Also watch out for local Kashmiri artistes who perform both folk and rock music. While you are here, take the time out for a boat ride on the famous Dal Lake. Do include the Mughal Gardens in your tour, which is situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, next to Siraj Bagh.
JUNE
June 5, Wednesday: Idul Fitr
June 6, Thursday: Take leave
June 7, Friday: Take leave
June 8, Saturday
June 9, Sunday
Recommended Holiday: Hill town wonders of Palampur and paragliding in Bir-Billing, Himachal Pradesh
Come summer and most of the hill stations in India, especially the famous ones in Himachal Pradesh, are chock-a-block with tourists. But there are still a few places in everybody’s favourite mountain state, away from the din and clutter of the tourist traps, that remain blissfully offbeat and hence, less crowded. Palampur in Kangra Valley is
one such. Surrounded by the Dhauladhar ranges, this sleepy little town is cocooned by pine forests and features undulating acres of tea plantations. Lazy strolls, picnics and birdwatching at nature parks, tea garden visits and hikes through forested trails to
hilltop temples or waterfalls are some of the ways to spend your long summer weekend in Palampur.
People inclined towards the arts can visit the nearby village of Andretta — a quaint colony of artists, potters and actors. Here, do try your hand at the potter’s wheel in one of the pottery workshops conducted daily. Located an hour away from Palampur is
Bir — the paragliding capital of India. Spend a day in Bir, cycling or walking through its lush meadows, scouring the Tibetan markets and visiting Buddhist monasteries. Hike up to the paragliding camps in Billing and take to the sky, feeling the adrenaline rush, as you look down at the beauty of the hills and forests below.
AUGUST
Aug 10, Saturday
Aug 11, Sunday
Aug 12, Monday: Bakri Eid
Aug 13, Tuesday: Take leave
Aug 14, Wednesday: Take leave
Aug 15, Thursday: Independence Day
Aug 16, Friday: Take leave
Aug 17, Saturday
Aug 18, Sunday
Recommended holiday: Exploring the nightlife in Phuket
Phuket is renowned for its nightlife, and with good reason. There is no shortage of entertainment venues, which are spread out across Phuket, but the highest concentration of them are at Bangla Road in Patong, just a few minutes away from Patong beach. Walk down the colourfully-lit street and duck into bars, clubs and shops that serve every pocket and often have offers going. There are also live musical and dance performances here both outdoors and in the clubs; some of the clubs do not charge for entry. The nightlife spots will give you the chance to meet other tourists, who come from all over the world.
***
Aug 23, Friday: Janmashtami
Aug 24, Saturday
Aug 25, Sunday
Recommended Holiday: Heritage hunting through Hampi, Karnataka
Established in 1336 and ruled for over 300 years by four different dynasties, the Vijayanagara Empire was undoubtedly, the greatest ever kingdom of southern India. And occupying the coveted position of the centre of this great empire was Hampi, which prospered as a grand, wealthy city by the Tungabhadra river, featuring numerous temples, agricultural layouts and markets. A coalition of rulers finally defeated the Vijayanagara Empire, destroying its capital on the way and leaving most of Hampi razed to the ground. Today, Hampi is a city of ruins — over 1,200 of them, together listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These ruins include forts, palaces, temples, shrines, pillared halls, mandapas, water structures, markets, riverside features and a lot, lot more. Navigating through this maze of ruins spread over an area of 4,100 hectares has been made relatively easy by several guided trails. One of the most frequented is the Virupaksha Trail, starting at
the Virupaksha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
SEPTEMBER
Aug 31, Saturday
Sept 1, Sunday
Sept 2, Monday: Ganesh Chaturthi
Recommended Holiday: Wildlife spotting in Pench, Madhya Pradesh
Pench National Park makes for an idyllic holiday in the wild. With a core area of 293 sq km, Pench straddles two states — Madhya Pradesh and adjoining Maharashtra. The Maharashtra side of it is now gaining prominence, but it’s the part of Pench in MP that has captivated the imagination of wildlife enthusiasts. The obvious attraction here, beside a jungle resort stay, is the wildlife safari. Even on the leanest days, you’ll come back having spotted at least a few dozen deer, peacocks, jungle fowls, wild boars
and more. With Lady Luck on your side, you might spot packs of wild dogs, bears and of course, the tigers and leopards. Go on a guided nature walk conducted by locals
in the early mornings. In the evenings, visit Kohka Lake — one of the best kept secrets of Pench — for a sundowner.
***
Sept 7, Saturday
Sept 8, Sunday
Sept 9, Monday: Take leave
Sept 10, Tuesday: Muharram
Sept 11, Wednesday: Onam (Restricted holiday) / Take leave
Recommended Holiday: Mountain magic in Leh, Ladakh
Speak of Ladakh, and you picture snow, hair-raising bends in high-altitude roads, and
grand mountain vistas which motorcyclists thunder through. But quiet old Leh, the
largest town in Ladakh, is a relatively undiscovered jewel. It has its share of attractions such as the market street, a few cosy eateries, the Shanti Stupa and other monuments such as the Shey and Leh palaces, some of which house museums that showcase the rich art and history of the region.
Mainly, though, use Leh as a base from which to explore spectacular mountain monasteries such as Matho, Thiksey, and Hemis; these feature magnificent and colourful architecture, as well as temples of the Buddha and Buddhist deities, which
mainlanders rarely get to see. Also visit the utterly picturesque Pangong lake (for which you need a permit).
In September 2019, the annual Naropa Festival will be organised near Leh, in order to showcase singing, dancing and other arts from Ladakh for an international audience.
While the 2019 schedule has not yet been announced, the 2018 edition had famous singers such as Papon flown in for special concerts.
OCTOBER
Oct 5, Saturday
Oct 6, Sunday
Oct 7, Monday: Durga Puja & Navratri (Restricted) / Take leave
Oct 8, Tuesday: Dusshera
Recommended Holiday: Explore the charms of Shillong, Meghalaya
Here, strains of Bob Dylan songs waft out from the windows of houses in sleepy afternoons. In cozy little cafes, youngsters sit around strumming their guitars and perfecting their pitch. In grassy meadows and parks, men and women sit under the shade of trees, penning down song lyrics. This is Shillong, the postcard-pretty hill station
that is the capital of Meghalaya. And music is a way of life here.
From 1980s rock and '90s pop to a new wave of hip hop, rap and electronic music, you will find what you like here. The best way to explore the music scene, other than attending the Shillong leg of the NH7 Weekender festival, is to visit its many cafes, such as Café Shillong, Dylan’s Café and Déjà Vu. These not only host live sessions with local musicians in the evenings but also serve delicious, steaming momos — a must-have while in Shillong.
This hill town is also known for its impeccable sartorial sense. Take a cue from the locals and boost your style quotient with purchases from Police Bazaar and Happy Valley. You cannot leave Shillong without partaking of its natural beauty. Visit the many waterfalls, the Ward’s Lake, the Shillong Peak for a bird’s eye view of the city, then drive on through gorgeous roads lined by towering pines to Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong and Dawki for exciting day trips.
NOVEMBER
Nov 9, Saturday
Nov 10, Sunday
Nov 11, Monday: Guru Nanak Birthday
Recommended Holiday: Unwinding in South Goa
Palolem beach is famous for its picturesque beauty, its clean sand and palm trees, its beachside shacks, as well as its gentle waters that offer good scope for swimming and
kayaking. There are also ample opportunities to unwind here, comprising sessions of yoga, meditation and other wellness practices. Accomplished chefs set up stalls here, serving dishes from a variety of cuisines.
Palolem is also the location of the trendy nightclub, Silent Noise, where patrons are given a set of headphones, and thus can dance the night away without worrying about
noise regulations. The club has three DJs playing, each on his own channel, which you can tune into with your headphones.
Palolem offers a good base for day trips to other South Goa destinations, such as the almost-deserted beaches of Talpona and Galgibag. Olive Ridley turtles lay eggs at Galgibag, so you might see wildlife conservation professionals at work here. The drive from Palolem to Talpona and Galgibag through some green terrain is worth doing in itself. Also near Palolem there is Cabo de Rama, which has the ruins of a Portuguese-era fort and a church which is still in service. There are also the relatively tourist-free stretches of sand at Agonda beach, another turtle nesting site.
First published in January 2019 issue of Go Getter magazine (GoAir.in)
Comments