Rann of Kutch is one of the places in India which will give you lifetime memories and Rann Utsav in India is something you shouldn't miss in India. Attending the Rann Utsav in Rann of Kutch gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy staying in a tent and also explore the colourful and vibrant region of Kutch. Rann of Kutch known as the White desert is one of the surreal places in the world which will take your breath away and the colours of the Kutch region will make your holiday in Rann Utsav absolutely memorable.
In this complete guide of Rann of Kutch and Rann Utsav, I will take you through the journey of the Kutch region and also share details that will help you to plan your perfect trip to Rann Utsav in Rann of Kutch.
One of your favourite moments for sure will be watching the sunset on the Great Rann of Kutch and one of the best sunsets in the world for sure. I have watched sunsets in places like Santorini in Greece, over the Sahara Desert, near the Pyramids and the sunset in Great Rann of Kutch can easily find a place in the best sunsets of the world.
Rani ki Vav is one the architectural marvels which have got a prominent place not only in the history and architectural books but also on 100 rupees note of India. Rani ki Vav is located in Patan in Gujarat and until you see Rani ki Vav in real life it would be extremely difficult to relate to the grandeur of this architecture. Rani ki Vav is not only a stepwell but it is also referred to as the Inverted temple.
In this blog post, I will take you through the history, architecture and details and nuances of Rani ki Vav which will help you to appreciate the majestic architecture a little more when you visit Rani ki Vav in Patan. But as we always do let's delve deeper into the history of Rani ki Vav to get a background on why and how this majestic structure was created.
Rani Ki Vav
What is the meaning behind the Name Rani ki Vav?
In Gujarati Vav means stepwell and in English Rani means queen which literally translates to The Stepwell of Queen. I heard of names like Agrasen ki Baoli then you can replace the word Baoli to Vav in Gujarati and the meaning remains the same. Baoli in Rajasthani is called stepwell.
Why were Stepwells built in India?
Stepwells were mainly created in the dry and arid regions of Gujarat & Rajasthan to store water. The water table was low in these areas and hence they had to dig a little deeper to get the water. To reach the water normal steps used to be created so that people can take the staircase and reach the well to fetch water. In the initial days, the step wells were not ornate.
Over the period of time, the stairs/steps were made stronger by expanding them over length and breadth.
Over the centuries the design of these step wells became more complex with various levels and steps.
Since it was believed to be auspicious to create a step well and many step wells were created to commemorate the dead, the design of the well became more ornate. The kings built more complex step-wells with complex architecture and designs on the well. The step wells became a symbol of opulence and a medium to show architectural prowess over the years.
Kutch – If this word reminds you of only the White Desert then be ready to see the colourful side of the Kutch through the journey of the Crafts of Kutch. Kutch area in Gujarat in India is extremely rich in unique crafts and approximately 20 different types of crafts are practised in Kutch which are extremely unique in the region. Few crafts of Kutch you will find only one family or a maximum of two families who are practising in the entire world. If you are planning to Kutch region to Rann of Kutch or Rann Utsav then exploring the nearby villages of Kutch in Gujarat is an absolute must to explore the crafts of Kutch.
The crafts of the Kutch region will help you to understand the rich culture and history of the place and will give you a sneak peek at the way of living. The area of Kutch will show you the side of Vibrant Gujarat. I got to explore the region of Kutch on my trip with the Ministry of Tourism and Gujarat Tourism.
Before we get into the details of the crafts of the Kutch area, let us understand why the area of Kutch is so rich in various unique crafts.
Crafts of Kutch
History of Kutch Region?
At one point in time, the region of Kutch was an important area for settlements with the oldest settlements found up to Indus Valley civilizations. We can find the mention of Kutch in various writings from the era of Alexander.
The area of Kutch has been ruled by Greeks from the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom to Rajputs to Singh Tribes. The area of Kutch has not only seen the influences of various kingdoms but many nomadic tribes also made the area of Kutch it's home.
The designs & crafts of Kutch draws a clear influence of these cultures and lifestyle of the nomadic tribes. We will go ahead and dissect how each craft of the Kutch region draws influence from various cultures and how the craft came to Kutch.
House of MG is a heritage property that will be a perfect staying option in Ahmedabad if you love history and like to cherish some nostalgic moments during your stay like me. House of MG is not named after Mahatma Gandhi as people might think, but the name comes from Mangaldas Girdhardas who were textile traders. However, the House of MG was a place where Mahatma Gandhi stayed after returning from South Africa.
I recently stayed in the House of MG during my visit to Gujarat with Gujarat Tourism and Incredible India. In this blog post, I will detail what to expect while staying at House of MG, but as we always believe knowing the history of the place makes it easier to appreciate and enjoy the place more, let's know the history of House of MG.
Ahmedabad Heritage Walk will show you a side of Ahmedabad that is not so known among tourists. Before my trip with the Ministry of Tourism and Gujarat Tourism I always associated food and entrepreneurs with the city of Ahmedabad, however, the Ahmedabad Heritage Walk opened my eyes and I was mesmerised by the architectural beauty and rich heritage of Ahmedabad. No doubt why Ahmedabad has been given the honour of UNESCO World Heritage City and the first city in India to get this honour.
If you are travelling to Ahmedabad then going on an Ahmedabad Heritage Walk is an absolute must-do. In this detailed blog, I will cover the places to visit and also how you can book the tour and the price of this Ahmedabad Heritage walk is absolutely affordable at just Rs 200 per person for Indians & Rs 300 per person for Foreigners.
The Ahmedabad heritage walk truly signifies the religious diversity of India as it name – Mandir to Masjid walk. The Ahmedabad heritage walk starts at the Temple and ends at a Masjid which will absolutely keep you spellbound.
Well before we get into the details of the Ahmedabad Heritage Walk let's understand the history of Ahmedabad which will help you to under the nuances of the heritage walk better.
Gujarat for me was only the land of heritage, culture & food, however, that got changed and a new word got added to the list after I visited the Saputara Hill Station in Gujarat recently and the word is - Breathtaking Landscapes. Here we bring the detailed Travel Guide to visit to Saputara Hill Station In Gujarat.
Yes, did you know Gujarat had a hill station and the beauty of it will keep you mesmerized? Saputara in Gujarat is the only hill station in Gujarat. Recently I went to explore Saputara with Gujarat Tourism & Incredible India. Before leaving for Saputara I was not expecting much but once I reached there everything got changed. It was a romance with beautiful landscape, weather and some stunning views.
Sundarbans National Park – The name reminds anyone of the dreaded Sundarban Tigers who are known as man-eating tigers. Today we are bringing a detailed itinerary of the Sundarbans tour and this will help you to get an insight into what to expect and unique and interesting things you can do during your travel to Sundarbans National Park. Sundarbans Tiger reserve is visited by tourists across the world in search of the man-eating Royal Bengal Sundarban tigers. The stories of the man-eating tigers of Sundarbans will send a chill in the spine during your Sundarban tour. The human beings and the Sundarban tigers stay in close proximity and is the perfect example of peaceful co-existence between man and nature.
Shoestring Travel has not only brought details of the Sundarbans tour but also stories of Sundarban Tigers straight from Sundarbans National Park and how people have survived the man-eating Sundarban tiger attacks. I have been to the Sunderbans tour 6 times till now and already have a plan to visit the 7th Time and these stories and the details mentioned in this blog is based on my experiences from all the Sunderban tours that I did.
Hear straight from the survivors of the Man-eating Sundarbans tiger attack in the video below and this video gives you details of Sundarban Tour if you are not in a mood to read much.
Welcome to the ultimate destination - Thailand. We have been waiting for a long to travel and since last year we all have gone through various ups and downs in our lives. We all deserve a great holiday and the best place to travel is Thailand. Thailand has started opening up slowly with the Phuket Sandbox Program and, with various options for flights at an affordable rate. Hence, Thailand becomes the best choice for that pending holiday which you have been yearning for a long.
I call Thailand the Ultimate Destination as the country has every kind of option catering to all kinds of travellers. I have been to Amazing Thailand, 6 times till now and I can tell you I have not been able to explore even 10% of what this country has to offer.
Thailand has everything from beaches, to history, amusement parks, shopping, rainforests, adventure sports and you name it and they have it.
Thailand is the best choice if you are looking forward to Relax, Rejuvenate, Rejoice, Rediscover, Reboot & Revive yourself since our body & mind has gone through a lot since 2020 and it's time to travel to Thailand and energise ourselves.
We bring you the perfect itinerary for 20 days based on the opening plans of the Thailand Authority of Tourism. I can assure you these 20 days will be the best days of your life and you will feel much more enriched as a person and will be able to emerge yourself stronger once you return from the perfect holiday. If you have time best option is to spend 20 days in Thailand or else you can always pick and chose from the places mentioned below and trust me all places will make you awestruck with the experiences they offer.
People often ask what are the weekend destinations from Kolkata where one can go. We are always on the lookout for destinations where we can travel from Kolkata over the weekend. With the current situation where people are working remotely the best weekend destinations from Kolkata will be a place where not only you can work but also relax among nature and enjoy after long office hours. If you can travel to destinations from Kolkata with kids and family and where there are fun activities to do with your kid it becomes more exciting.
If you are on the lookout for Weekend destinations fromKolkata then you should visit Ibiza - The Fern Resort & Spa which is approx. 1.5 hours from the heart of Kolkata by Car. It's the perfect weekend destination from Kolkata to travel with your kids and family where you can stay close to nature and also enjoy various activities which I will be talking about in details in my blog post below.
Ibiza - The Fern Resort & Spa is a luxury resort that has all the modern amenities making it a perfect weekend destination from Kolkata. I recently stayed here on a staycation and I must say I absolutely loved the place.
The Belgadia Palace is a 200 years old palace in Mayurbhanj in Odisha which has opened its heart for travelers. This palace in India will help you to transform to the bygone era and experience Royalty. Staying at the Belgadia palace in Odisha will help you to understand the beautiful art forms of Sabai Grass, Dokra Art and Chhau Dance. The Belgadia Palace in Mayurbhanj is one of the palaces in India which offers boutique homestay. The palace promotes sustainable tourism and engages with local tribal and village community to promote local handicrafts. You will get an insight into the art and crafts of Odisha. This palace in India is just 5 hours drive from Kolkata and situated extremely close to Simlipal National Park.
I got to experience my royal stay at the Belgadia Palace in January 2021. As soon as I entered through the gates of Belgadia Palace, the majestic beauty peeped through the green cover inside the palace premises. Soon I was welcomed by the staff at the Belgadia palace with a smile and open heart. Within 2 minutes I was transformed into the royal and bygone era of the Belgadia Palace. As soon as you enter the Belgadia palace the first thing which will catch your eyes is the monogrammed staircase with the letter M and the walls adorned with trophies of animal heads and horns. One noticeable trophy is the huge skull of a crocodile which was almost 50% of my height ( I am 5'11") as soon as you start climbing the staircase.
Purulia is one of the most visited places in West Bengal and this Purulia detailed tour guide will provide you with all the details you need to travel to Purulia. Purulia is also known as "Lal Matir Desh" which means land of red soil in Bengali. Purulia greets travelers with lush green meadows & forests, hills, lakes, and its natural beauty along with rich history. Not known to many Purulia has played an important role to carve the history of Bengal. Purulia is also rich in tribal culture and will keep you mesmerized with its rustic beauty.
When to Visit Purulia?
We traveled to Purulia after staying at home for more than 10 months in the month of December. Winters are the best time to visit Purulia. The tourist season starts in November and ends in March/April for Purulia.
The best time to visit Purulia is from early March when the Palash flowers blooms and Purulia transforms into a different beauty. Purulia is filled with Palash trees and when they bloom the entire land looks reddish in color due to the color of the flower. The trees look as if on fire with their red-colored flowers in full bloom.
Long Weekend Holidays are special for people who have corporate jobs. By taking one or a maximum of two leaves we get almost Four to Five days leaves to travel. Every year I make a calendar for Long weekend holiday for myself and plan my travels in advance. This year I thought of sharing this Long weekend Calendar for 2021 so that you can benefit and plan your holidays too.
Long Weekend Holiday Planner 2021
If you are from Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore then this Long Weekend Holiday Calendar will help you to plan your perfect vacation during Long weekends in India. A small note before I start the local festival holidays may vary based on your company or state. However, I have taken into account the holidays given in 2021 by a few top companies in India. I have suggested the places where you should ideally based on the season however you always have an option to reshuffle the places where you want to travel during these Long weekend holidays in 2021.
So let's begin the planning for Long weekend holidays in 2021.
Humans by nature in God's own country – Yes, I am talking about the state of Kerala in India. Kerala is known for its beauty and the hospitality of the people which makes it one of the best places to travel in India.
A place is defined by the people and while travelling every interaction with the humans of a place defines how we enjoy the place. It is rightly said that "People will forget what you said, might forget what you did for them, but people will never forget how you made them feel" and the people of kerala truly epitomizes it.
The people of Kerala will go extra mile to ensure you have an amazing travel memories in Kerala. These people might not be connected to travel industry, they are the common people whom you meet everyday on streets.
Human by Nature - My Experiences with the People of Kerala
In 2008, me and my dad decided to go on a road trip of Kerala and this was our first major father-son trip. We were excited and we wanted to ensure that everything was perfect. We had booked hotels, flight tickets, car all by ourselves. We were little skeptical initially about the road trip as we didn't know what was the condition of the car, how was the driver etc. In those times there was not many online reviews or not sites available through which you can book cars reliablye, so we had to depend on local references through hotel.
We asked lots of questions to the driver (his name was Jayanand) and I still remember what he said. He said "Sir please come to my state. I know you I will see your worried faces when we meet but when we say goodbye I know I will see your happy and smiling faces".
That's spirit of people of Kerala – truly human by nature.
Let me take you on a journey of Kerala and how the people of Kerala made our trip truly special and yes when I was at the airport I had a huge smile on my face.
Chinese in Kolkata represents a unique confluence of food, culture, and language which is a perfect blend of China and India. Chinese in Kolkata or the Chinese Community in Kolkata will remind you of the phrase "Hindi- Chini Bhai Bhai" ( Indians and Chinese are brothers). The Chinese in Kolkata is also called as "Chini" and we also call sugar as Chini. That reminds me to narrate a beautiful and unique history of Chinese in Kolkata.
Chinese in Kolkata has given Kolkata unique Chinese cuisine, leather tanning technology, and lots of spices. There are approximately 2000-2500 Chinese in Kolkata. It's a vanishing culture as the young generation of the Chinese in Kolkata are moving out to the west. The Chinese in Kolkata adds to the diaspora of the culture of Kolkata.
In this blog post, we will talk about History, Culture, and yes Chinese food, Chinese Restaurants in Kolkata. If you are looking to understand anything about Chinese in Kolkata then read this blog post.
History of Chinese in Kolkata
It is said that the Chinese people first landed in West Bengal. The first recorded Chinese who settled in India was Tong Achew. He was a tea seller who landed in Budge budge in West Bengal first in the year 1780. Mainly he had an export business of tea in Burma (now Myanmar) and Vietnam. Once, while he was sailing for business purposes, unfortunately, his shipwrecked at the shore of river Hoogly, in Bengal.
The official history of the Chinese in Kolkata tell us, Atchew who desirous of quitting a mercantile life would wish to bring with him, on his return from China, wanted to bring many of Chinese who were skilled in husbandry. After getting assurance from the government, Atchew returned his country and again came back in 1781 with 110 Chinese laborers to settle here permanently. He brought Chinese people along with him to work in the sugar factory in Budge Budge. The place is now called as Achipur which was named after Tong Achew. The first Chinese settler in India died soon in the year 1783 and the Chinese people who he brought started migrated to Kolkata from 1804 when his sugar mill was auctioned off. Tong Achew migrated to Budget Budge and he was given 650 Bighas of land for an annual rent of just Rs45.
In Morocco, there are lots of interesting things to do. If you are planning to visit Morocco then this is the best time to plan your trip. You will get transformed into a medieval world when traveling to Morocco or Marrakech. In this blogpost we will see 15 Things to do in Morocco however limiting this list to just 15 things to do in Morocco is extremely tough. There are so many interesting things to do in morocco and every age group has something interesting to do.
You will fall in love with Morocco almost every hour as you will be experiencing interesting things to do in Morocco. This North African country will keep you spellbound with its beauty. If you are a history aficionado then Morocco will have endless things to do for you.
Let's delve into the mysteries of Morocco and see the Top 15 things to do in Morocco.
15 Things to Do in Morocco
The list of 15 things to do in Morocco is not in any particular order. For these things to do in morocco it is advisable to take help of a local tour company. The local transport in Morocco is not that great and dependable so you should book day tours in advance.
Road trips in Europe are made of dreams. A road trip in Europe can unfold so many sides of unseen Europe. Just imagine you driving on straight roads, with Sweet Home Alabama playing and seeing the European countryside. We have all seen in movies, however now you can live your dream in one of the best road trips in Europe.
Escape and Discover the most beautiful places and landscapes on a Road Trip in Europe. So what are you waiting for tank up your car and get it ready for amazing road trips. Shoestring Travel has brought you a list of 25 Best Road Trips in Europe you can do now.
These road trips have been hand-picked by travel bloggers across the world so be rest assure you will have an amazing time on these road trips.
If you don't want to go on a road trip then Shoestring Travel has got you covered. You can check 32 Best day Trips in Europe which you can travel to by train or public transport. If you are interested in Hiking then check this amazing list of 40 Best Hikes in Europe.
If you are wanting for more and want to explore some hidden destinations or offbeat destinations in Europe then check is an exciting list of 15 Offbeat Places in Europe.
Let's jump into the list of 25 best road trips in Europe straight away.
Tanayesh Talukdar
Travel Blogger & Photographer
An avid traveller & photographer always on the lookout for unique destinations,culture & food.We are in search of Unknowns among Knowns and bring Offbeat and Unique destinations across the world.
Through this travel blog Shoestring Travel I intend to bring travel stories & travel itineraries so that people can pursue their wanderlust on a budget.
Read more about me here
Media and Featured
Grand Winner | Blogging Contest 2020 | Tourism Authority of Thailand
Lets Connect on Facebook
You Might Want to Read These
15 Heritage Sweet Shops in Kolkata - Visit Now
There are sweet shops in Kolkata and there are Heritage Sweet shops in Kolkata. Kolkata or Bengal is synonymous with sweets. Kolkat...
10 Hidden Beaches in Goa
Goa the beach paradise in India is known for many beaches which are frequented by tourists, however, there are many Secret or Hid...
Purulia Tour Guide- Detailed Itinerary
Purulia is one of the most visited places in West Bengal and this Purulia detailed tour guide will provide you with all the details you need...
Crafts of Kutch, Gujarat
Kutch – If this word reminds you of only the White Desert then be ready to see the colourful side of the Kutch through the journey of the Cr...
Sundarbans National Park Travel Itinerary
Sundarbans National Park – The name reminds anyone of the dreaded Sundarban Tigers who are known as man-eating tigers. Today we are bringing...
Copyright © 2021 Shoestring Travel : Travel Blog for Travel Tips on Budget