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Newsletter Issue : October 2007 |
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From the Editor’s Desk |
Welcome to Indian Whispers! India is home to 27 sites which have been deemed as ‘World heritage Sites’ by UNESCO. In this edition we feature one such site, The Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park, which is located in the state of Gujarat. Also featured is a new luxury train, ‘Golden Chariot’, being launched by the Karnataka government from November 2007 onwards.
Continuing our gourmet’s journey of various cuisines in India from the previous edition, we feature ‘Punjabi Cuisine’ in this edition along with a famous restaurant in Delhi which specializes in the cuisine and is aptly named ‘Punjabi by Nature’.
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The Champaner - Pavagadh Archaeological Park |
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The Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park is located 50Kms. from Vadodra, in Gujarat state. Its ancient architecture, temples, forts, mosques, palaces, granaries and special water retaining installations together with its religious, military and agricultural structures date back to the 10 th century, sprawling over a 6 sq. km. terrain.
The history of Champaner – Pavagadh goes back to the Stone Age, with some small bits recorded in the 6 th century during the Maitrik Dynasty. Next it came under the Gurjar – Pratihar rulers and passed into the hands of Prithviraj Chauhan’s descendants during the 13 th century. It was however during the Muslim period beginning with Sultan Mehmood Begahra in 1484 that it became a capital city, Muhammadabad. Mughal Emperor Humayun plundered it in 1535 and thereafter it started to decline by the end of the 16 th century. It is estimated that there are still 2000 buildings under these historic grounds, of which only 120 have been covered till date.
Access
Vadodra is the nearest airport (50Kms. From Champaner – Pavagadh) and hotel accommodation available there. Vadodra can be included in any itinerary of Gujarat state and even combined in any itinerary of Rajasthan.
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Luxury Train: Golden Chariot |
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The much awaited luxury train ‘Golden Chariot’, will finally begin operations from November this year. The train will follow the circuit of Bangalore – Srirangapatna – Mysore – Shravanabelagola – Hassan – Hospet – Gadag – Vasco (Goa) – Bangalore with accommodation for 88 passengers per trip.
The interiors of the train have been designed on the lines of Mysore palace and the architecture of Hampi. It will have 19 coaches consisting of air – conditioned cabins, a specially designed cabin for the differently-abled, 2 restaurant coaches, lounge bars, conference cabin and a gymnasium. Onboard services will include local artists and craftsmen displaying their traditional talent. The itinerary of the six nights – seven days trip will include visit to heritage sites, eco-tourism spots, beaches and wildlife destinations.
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Shopping Pick of the Month - Indian Carpets |
Indian carpets can infuse an elegant charm and a splash of color to your living room. The variety of designs and colors are sure to amaze you!
Carpets are woven in different parts of India with its own unique characteristics. Some of the prominent varieties are from Kashmir, which is famous for exquisite high quality hand knotted woolen and silk carpets. Pure silk carpets from Kashmir are matchless in design, craftsmanship and feel. These carpets are woven with 324-600 knots per square inch and Persian designs are followed.
Also famous are carpets from Agra where weavers make Persian, Turkman and Abussan varieties of carpets. Carpets from Jaipur are famous for Innovative styles and both soft back and hard back carpets are made here.
Whereas carpets from Amritsar are famous for fusion of Persian and Indian craftsmanship, the weavers from Gwalior specialize in producing carpets from artificial silk.
Travelers to India can check out these carpets as they are available in most Cottage Industries Exposition Centers or request your tour escort / guide for assistance.
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Gourmet’s Choice - ‘Punjabi Cuisine’ |
Punjabi cuisine from the Punjab region of Northern India can be non-vegetarian or completely vegetarian. The one feature that stands out in the cuisine is the liberal use of spices, butter, cream and cooking in tandoor, a vertical clay oven with hot coal. Punjabi cuisine offers a diverse range of dishes. Tandoori food is the specialty of the cuisine especially for non-vegetarian dishes. Marinated meats and fish are simply delicious, with the clay imparting flavour and aroma to a mélange of spices and juices from the meat.
Chicken Tikka cooked in a tandoor, Makhani Gravy and hot buttered Tandoori Rotis or famous hot Kulchas, makes for some of the most mouth watering culinary combinations.
Punjabi Restaurant in South Delhi
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With two floors for diners and a pub upstairs, it is located at a conveniently accessible location in South Delhi. On the first floor is a display kitchen where one can watch preparation of tandoori items and desserts. The menu is elaborate with a wide choice from vegetarian and non – vegetarian dishes. One of the must try items on the menu and also the house specialty are "gol gappa" shots: a tiny ‘puri’ (fried puffed bread) filled with vodka, which you pop into your mouth whole.
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If you are traveling through Delhi then you can experience the ‘Punjabi Cuisine’ at ‘Punjabi by Nature’. Please contact your tour escort, guide or the local Le Passage office and they will be happy to assist you in making a reservation at the restaurant. |
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Global airlines increase flights to South India |
The southern region will see a spurt in international air travel this season with three airlines announcing new flights to and from Southern Indian destinations.
Singapore Airlines will start three additional weekly flights from Bangalore from October 29, Malaysian Airlines has announced an additional weekly flight from Bangalore on October 28 and two more weekly flights from November 3. And Air Arabia has already started bi-weekly flights from Kochi to Sharjah.
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From Kunming, China to Kolkata, India: A direct flight |
For the first time, Kolkata will be linked directly to China as Eastern China Airline starts operating flights between the West Bengal capital and Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province enabling Chinese people traveling to East and North East India for business or leisure to travel directly to that region without routing their journey through Delhi or Mumbai.
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Did you know? |
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The World's First Granite Temple is the Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The shikhara of the temple is made from a single 80-tonne piece of granite. This magnificent temple was built in just five years, (between 1004 AD and 1009 AD) during the reign of Rajaraja Chola. |
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Kerala is listed in the World's 50 Destinations of a Lifetime by a National Geographic Society publication. This is the second Indian destination in the list besides the Taj Mahal. |
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Contact us at :
Le Passage to India Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd.
Address : E 29, Haus Khas, New Delhi-110016, India
Phone : +91-(011) - 41653100 Fax : +91-(011) - 41653101
Email : info@lpti.in Website : www.lepassagetoindia.com |
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