Timely Yours - May,2016

Dear Partners,

Namaste from !ndia!

Hemis Gompa, an ancient monastery in the Indian state of Ladakh, will be at the center of celebrations commemorating the advent of Buddhism in the Himalayan region from July 14 to 15. Festivities will revolve around a sacred mask dance performed by the temple’s lamas to a soundtrack of brass trumpets, cymbals, and drums.

This month we bring to you the Hemis Festival - Ladakh, as the destination of the month.

 

Rgds: Sanjeev Joshi

 

         
         

Tourism Development
Indian Railways launches tourist train for pilgrims

Indian Railways has launched the Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims to visit Shirdi, Tirupati, Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, Baidyanath Dham and Jyotirlingams among others.
Comprising 10 coaches, the train begins the “East Darshan” on May 8 from Chandigarh and travelling from Delhi Cantonment to cover Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, Baidyanath Dham, Gaya, Banaras and Ayodhya.According to the package, a person has to pay Rs 830 per day to selected destinations in the east or south of the country or packages that cover major religious sites.
The package includes train journey, road transportation, accommodation, sightseeing at tourist locations and onboard and off-board meals.
Bharat Darshan will also cover “7 Jyotirlinga” package beginning on May 23 from Chandigarh through Delhi Cantonment will cover Ujjain (Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar), Dwarka (Nageshwar), Veraval (Somnath), Aurangabad (Grishneshwar) and Nasik (Bhimashankar and Triyambakeshwar).
There will be another “7 Jyotirlinga” tour which begins on June 6 from Delhi Safdarjung through Lucknow covering Ujjain (Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar), Dwarka (Nageshwar), Veraval (Somnath), Aurangabad (Grishneshwar) and Nasik (Bhimashankar and Triyambakeshwar).
The train also offers “Dakshin Darshan with Shirdi” tour package which starts on June 27 from Chandigarh through Delhi Cantt covering Shirdi, Tirupati, Kanchipuram, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore and Bangalore.
The Bharat Darshan Tourist train has 10 coaches and being serviced by trained tour managers.

                        

Indian e-tourist visa system continues to grow

According to data from India’s Tourism Ministry, the total of 70,045 e-tourist visas issued April marks a sharp 266% increase from the 19,139 issued in the same month last year, reflecting a major expansion of the scheme in the last 12 months.
Travelers from the UK accounted for the largest proportion of e-tourist visas issued last month (18.8%), followed by the US (14.1%), Russia (8.2%), France (7.1%) and China (6.3%). Delhi Airport issued almost half the visas in April (46.5%), followed by Mumbai Airport (19.1%), Goa Airport (10.0%), Bengaluru Airport (6.5%) and Chennai Airport (5.6%).
The total number of e-tourist visas issued in the first four months of 2016 stood at 391,094, up 312% compared to the same period in 2015.

           
                               
 

Travel With TIME

In today’s world where man and machine are synonyms due to fast growing technology, a holiday has become must for us to relax and rejuvenate. The tourism industry therefore has become one of the fast growing industries and is changing its dimensions every minute. We at TIME understand the changing time and demands of travelers and therefore aim to provide all our clients with an experience, which is unparalleled. TIME was established in 1998 with the sole aim of providing quality services viz a viz value for money. The Indian sub-continent being one of the most challenging destinations requires lot of expertise and dedication, therefore we at TIME ensure to provide all our Travel Partners services which not only make their clients happy but gives us a repeat value. Our motto, “The Company that cares”, says it all.

If one had to describe India in just one word, it would have to be Cornucopia – a cornucopia of people, traditions, culture, climate and even topography. It is referred to as the largest democracy in the world, by virtue of the fact that it has the largest electing population among democratic countries. The echo of her heroes and her freedom fighters is felt not just in India but also all over the world. It is the land of “Ahimsa” the land of Mahatma Gandhi. India occupies its own niche in the world. The Himalayas surround it from the north acting as a wall on one side, the Thar Desert acts as a barrier towards the northwest and the rest is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. We at TIME welcome you to experience the arid grandeur of Rajasthani kingdoms to the exquisite serenity of Kerala – each shines with its own uniqueness. Our personalized services with an eye for your comfort at each point of your travel will truly make your trip a memorable one.

                                                                    

Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh

(A World Heritage Site)

Airline News                                                                                                                                                                       Go To Top
IndiGo introduces 14 new domestic flights


Effective May 1, 2016, IndiGo has introduced 3rd non-stop daily flight between Bengaluru and Ahmedabad; 3rd non-stop daily flight between Bengaluru and Jaipur; 3rd non-stop daily flight between Chennai and Kochi and 4th non-stop daily flight between Kolkata and Hyderabad. Effective May 2, 2016, the carrier is also starting a 3rd non-stop daily flight between Kochi and Chennai and 3rd non-stop daily flight between Jaipur and Bengaluru and from May 6, 2016, it is introducing a 3rd non-stop daily flight between Delhi and Jaipur; 5th non-stop daily flight between Srinagar and Delhi and 6th non-stop daily flight between Delhi and Srinagar.

Expanding its domestic and overseas network, IndiGo will the launch ten new flights within India and Oman. Effective May 16, 2016, IndiGo will commence an additional flight connecting Delhi to Ranchi. With effect from June 21, 2016, the airline will introduce its first flight on the Kochi-Muscat route, while also launching its second flight connecting Hyderabad to Kochi. Furthermore, effective June 22, 2016, IndiGo will begin operations with its first flight between Hyderabad and Coimbatore & Hyderabad and Nagpur.

GoAir to commence daily evening operations between Delhi-Srinagar effective June 15

GoAir announced that it will become the first airline to offer direct daily evening flights connecting Delhi and Srinagar as part of airline’s network development. GoAir will be the only airline with last arrival and departure in the valley.
Effective June 15, 2016 and as per its latest proposed schedule, the GoAir flight G8 229 will take off from Delhi at 16:50hrs and arrive in Srinagar at 18:10hrs while the return flight G8 228 will take off from Srinagar at 18:40 and arrive Delhi at 20:05hrs. Tickets for the flights are now open and can be booked.

                                                                             

Vistara to start flying to Kolkata

Effective 10 June 2016, the airline will offer 13 weekly flights to the Bengali city, direct from Delhi, using its three-class Airbus A320 aircraft.
Flights will depart Delhi daily at 0720 and 1755, arriving in Kolkata at 0930 and 2010. The return services will then leave at 1015 and 2050 and arrive back in Delhi at 1250 and 2315. The morning flight will not operate on Sundays.
In addition, Vistara has unveiled plans to commence direct flights between Delhi and Kochi on 20 June. The airline initially launched flights to Kochi, via Mumbai, in April.


                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                     

Hotel News                                                                                                                 Go To Top

Marriott Suites opens in Pune

The new Pune Marriott Suites is located in the Koregaon Park area of the Maharashtra city. It offers 199 suites designed for long-stay guests, plus two restaurants, a lounge, fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool and wellness centre.
The new hotel is located close to Pune Airport and the city’s main business and IT hubs, meaning it is likely to appeal to business travelers.

                                                

TUTC opens new luxury camps in Ladakh

The Chamba Camp Thiksey and Chamba Camp Diskit camps are both operational from 15 May 2016 to 10 October 2016, offering a high-end “glamping” (glamorous camping) concept that features luxurious tents, Wi-Fi, bathrooms with 24-hour hot water, personal butler services, organic cuisine, boutiques and libraries. All of the tents are triple-layered and their temperature can be controlled by guests.“Travelers are opting for off-beat destinations within India with untouched scenic beauty and exceptional local flavour. Keeping this need in mind, TUTC has designed most luxurious camping offers for the travellers who want to explore exceptional locations in India without having to compromise on any of the luxuries of life,” said Rajnish Sabharwal, chief operating officer of TUTC.

                                  

AccorHotels opens Grand Mercure in Mysuru

Set to the north of the Mysore Palace, the hotel has 146 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a bar and deli. Other facilities including a gym, spa, outdoor pool, kids’ play area and conference and banqueting space. The hotel has been launched in partnership with the Brigade Group. The Mysuru hotel becomes only the second Grand Mercure in India, following an existing property in Bengaluru.

                                              

                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                         
                                                    
                                                             
                                            

Recommended Tour of the Month                                                                                                                                 Go To Top

 

Hemis Festival- Ladakh (14-15 July'16)

 

Legends
Based on Tibetan and Buddhist Legends, Hemis Festival is said to have its origins back in 8thCentury. Lord Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rimpoche is believed to be the local savior who banished demons and evil spirits. The spiritual leader is said to have introduced of Tantric Buddhism in the Himalayan Kingdom. Combining the teachings of Buddhism and Tibetan culture, a new way was established where life was entwined with prayers, austere life and a higher calling.

Festival Details
As Ladakh, the cold barren desert of northernmost frontiers of India wakes up from harsh winters, it’s time to celebrate the Ladakhi Hemis festival. In the quaint Hemis Jangchub Choling Monastery, the colorful extravaganza of celebrating the birth of local savior Lord Padmasambhava is under fervent preparations. 45 kms from Leh, capital city of Ladakh witnesses international crowds come to join the festivities. Dance, music, prayers, masked performances and a medley of colors will be seen everywhere you see. The otherwise quaint and rugged landscape of Ladakh turns vibrant and chaotic during this monastery festival.

Celebrations
The birth of Guru Rimpoche also known as Lord Padmasambhava is the occasion which is celebrated during Hemis Festival. The spiritual leader is conferred as the local savior. The leader of Tantric Buddhism, it is said that he introduced Buddhism in the Himalayan Kingdom as early as the 8th Century.

The festival highlight is the Dance performances and plays by masked Lamas. The masked dancere presents the good prevailing over evil. The participants of the spellbinding performance are dressed in vibrant costumes and bright masks. Every mask has its own place in Tibetan and Buddhist legends. Signifying aspects of good and evil, they are designed as humble, divine faces, animals, skeletons and numerous frightful figurines. Dancers can be seen with slow dance movements and fanciful expressions. The masked dance performance is created on music medley of sounds of drums, trumpets and cymbals. The famous Padmasambhava dance, the highlight of the dance shows the victory of the ruta demons. The dances are spellbinding as the divine is represented and its said to be purifying your soul.

Every 12th year known as the Tibetan Year of the Monkey, Hemis Monastery Festival takes an auspicious turn.The unfurling of the largest Thangkha(12 metres) from the second floor of the monastery for the world to see shall happen in 2016 after 12 years. The scripture is worth seeing as it’s so delicately preserved.

Inside the monastery and outside during the festival check out the stalls. From delightful tastes of the mountain Kingdom to unique handicrafts of the region the sight are wonderful. Residents of remote villages, adventure seekers, photographers and travelers make their way here to be a part of the festival.

When to Go
After a tough winter the chills have become bearable, the Hemis monastery opens its doors to enjoy festivities. The date every year changes as it is celebrated every year on the tenth day of the Lunar calendar of the Tibetan month. In 2016 the festival is tobe celebrated on 14th and 15th July. This festival will be unique as the special ceremony which happens once in 12 years, the unfurling of the largest Thangkha is scheduled during the occasion.

Where to Go
In Jammu & Kashmir in Ladakh district, 45 kms from Leh, Hemis Monastery lies in a gorge. The quaint setting amongst greenery in the otherwise barren landscape is a beautiful sight. The largest Gompa in Ladakh is the most accessible and houses around 500 saffron clad monks. Backpackers, devotees and adventure lovers can be seen making their way to the unexplored Himalayan kingdom.



 

                                                   
 

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