Travel Calcutta presents TEA TOURISM IN BENGAL

Ever wondered how your favorite brand of tea reaches your kitchen shelf? Many of us wouldn't even believe if told that this very tea goes through a whole gamut of production procedures before finally blending into our cups. So if you are among those very keen to see for yourself how this wonder beverage is produced, a tea tour seems to be the best option.

Indian Tea tourism as they say is India's answer to what Europe calls wine tourism.

So why don't you book a tour with Travel Calcutta today and see for yourself what is so unique about it. Just think, lush green tea plantations, a tranquil ambience and loads of old worldly charm - simply heaven! Moreover Exploring India remains incomplete without knowing the essence of Indian Tea.

 

History of Indian Tea 

The cultivation and brewing of tea in India has a long history of applications in traditional system of medicine and for consumption. Tea cultivation in India has somewhat ambiguous origins. Some cite that the first recorded reference to tea in India was in the ancient epic of the Ramayana, which referenced the "Sanjeevani tea" plant when Hanuman (the monkey God) was sent to the Himalayas to bring it for medicinal use. The tea cultivation begun there [India] in the nineteenth century by the British, it has however, has accelerated to the point that today India is listed as the world's leading producer, its 715, 000 tons well ahead of China's 540, 000 tons.

Live as a tea planter for 2 days.

On a 2Night 2 days package Travel Calcutta takes you through the tea estate, making you acquainted with every step involved in making the world’s famous Indian Tea.

View of the road from inside the car 

The moment the car hits the road you will be welcomed by the beauty and calm of North Bengal. Situated at the foot hills of the Himalayas stands the beautiful Tea Estates, with its clear azure sky and lush greenery.

Road side view 

Tour starts from Calcutta 

(or guests can be received at Bagdogra Airport)

To give you a feel of Indian Railways we take you in a night train from Calcutta to reach the foot hills of the Himalayas.

Travel Calcutta Tea Estate AC car

Day 1. Pick up from railway station in AC car and escort to the tea estate's Air conditioned bungalow to freshen up and breakfast accompanied ofcourse with a brewing cup of tea...

You end the day with a tea tasting session under the expert tuition of the tea taster, who has tasted over a million cups of tea, you'll learn about the various minute details of your refreshing cup of beverage.

Back to guest house. Overnight stay at the guest house.

Day 2. After breakfast you will be taken on a bicycle tour around the tea gardens where you can chat with the friendly villagers and tea pluckers.

Back to guest house for lunch and then to Airport/Railway station for your onward journey.

India has now turned to be the most popular factory in refining the flavour of tea, and accounts for its maximum export. Scientists say that you need to sip tea at least three times a day for enjoying its benefits, which includes good blood circulation, prevention of cardiovascular diseases, lowering your blood cholesterol, minimizing the risks of cancer, and boosting the immunity system. It is basically rich in anti-oxidants which accounts for longevity too.

10 Major Health Benefits of Tea -

     1.     Tea contains antioxidants

     2.     Tea has less caffeine than coffee

     3    Tea may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke

     4.      Tea protects the bones

     5.     Tea is good for skin, it reduces sun damage and sagging of skin.

     6.     Tea bolsters the immune defense.

     7.     Tea protects against cancer.

     8.     Tea helps keep you hydrated.

     9.     Tea is a calorie-free beverage.

    10. Tea increases body metabolism


          What are you waiting for then book your TEA TOUR with TRAVEL CALCUTTA.


           TEA TOUR can be clubbed with Calcutta Tour and extended with Darjeeling /   Sikkim Tour.
       
        Mail us at : travelcalcutta@gmail.com     surendra sharma 7602418005    

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Classical Dances of India - Classes commencing from 1st July 2011

In Hindu mythology the whole universe is the dance of the Supreme Dancer, Nataraja, a name for Lord Shiva, the Hindu ascetic yogi and divine purveyor of destruction of evil. The symbolism of the dance of Shiva (in the form of Nataraja) is represented by the attitude called "Ananda Tandavam". Also known as the cosmic dancer, he is here the embodiment and manifestation of the eternal energy in five activities creation, destruction, concealing, apparations  and favoring, bestowing grace through a manifestation that accepts the devotee. Shiva is depicted dancing on the dwarfish body of the demon Apasmara purusa, "forgetfulness, loss of memory" -- who represents ignorance, the destruction of which brings enlightenment, true wisdom, and release from the bondage of existences. 

Kuchipudi 

Kuchipudi is a Classical Indian dance form from Andhra Pradesh, India. Kuchipudi is the name of a village in the Divi Taluka of Krishna district that borders the Bay of Bengal.  Kuchipudi flourished as a dramatic form of dance for hundreds of years.  It was held in high esteem by the rules of the Deccan.  For instance Tana Shah in 1678 granted the lands around Kuchipudi to the Brahmins who performed the dance.The performance usually begins with some stage rites, after which each of the character comes on to the stage and introduces him/herself with a small composition of both song and dance to introduce the identity, set the mood, of the character in the drama. The drama then begins. Ornaments worn by the artists are generally made of a light weight wood called Boorugu

The songs in Kuchipudi are mimed with alluring expressions, swift looks and fleeting emotions evoking the rasa. Tarangam of Kuchipudi which is unique in that the dancer must dance upon a brass plate, placing the feet upon the raised edges. The dancer moves the plate with much balance as the indiviudal is traditionally dancing on the plate. In expressional numbers a dancer sometimes chooses to enact the role of Satyabhama, the proud and self-assured queen of Lord Krishna, from the dance-drama Bhama Kalapam. She goes through various stages of love. When in separation from Lord Krishna, she recalls the happy days of union and pines for him. At last they are reunited when she sends him a letter.

One more number from the Kuchipudi repertoire that deserves mention is Krishna Shabdam, in which a milkmaid invites Krishna for a rendezvous in myriads of ways giving full scope for the dancer to display the charms of a woman.

Bharatanatyam 

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form originating in Tamil Nadu, It is held as the national dance of India. It has its inspirations from the sculptures of the ancient temple of Chidambaram. It was nurtured in the temples and courts of southern India since ancient times. . The art was handed down as a living tradition from generation to generation under the Devadasi system under which women were dedicated to temples to serve the deity as dancers and musicians forming part of the elaborate rituals. These highly talented artists and the male gurus (nattuvanars) were the sole repository of the art until the early 20th century when a renewal of interest in India's cultural heritage prompted the educated elite to discover its beauty.
Bharata Natyam is considered to be a 'fire dance' — the mystic manifestation of the metaphysical element of fire in the human body. It is one of the five major styles (one for each element) that include Odissi (element of water), Mohiniattam (element of air), Kuchipudi (element of earth) and Kathakali (element of sky). The movements of an authentic Bharatanatyam dancer resemble the movements of a dancing flame. Bharata Natyam is generally practiced as 'Dance Yoga', a sacred meditational tradition, by the orthodox schools.
Bharata Natyam proper is a solo dance, with two aspects, lasya, the graceful feminine lines and movements, and tandava  (the dance of Shiva), masculine aspect, which is identical to the  Yin and Yang in the Chinese culture.

Bharata Natyam is the manifestation of the ancient idea of the celebration of the eternal universe through the celebration of the beauty of the material body. The costume should be charmingly beautiful and love is its foundation.

Odissi

Odissi refers to the dance style of the state of Orissa in eastern India. Over the years Odissi has become one of the most popular classical dance styles.

Like other Indian classical dance forms, Odissi has two major facets: Nritta or non-representational dance, in which ornamental patterns are created using body movements in space and time; and Abhinaya, or stylized mime in which symbolic hand gestures and facial expressions are used to interpret a story or theme.

The divine love tales of Radha and the cowherd God Krishna are favourite themes for interpretation. A typical recital of Odissi will contain at least one or two ashtapadis (poem of eight couplets) from Jayadeva's Gita Govindam, which describes in exquisite Sanskrit poetry the complex relationship between Radha and her Lord.

Tribhangi

The technique of Odissi includes repeated use of the tribhangi, or thrice deflected posture,

in which the body is bent in three places, approximating the shape of a helix. This posture and the characteristic shifting of the torso from side to side is the epitome of fluid grace and has a distinctively lyrical quality that is very appealing.

 Kathak 

Kathak is the major classical dance form of northern India.  The word kathak means "to tell a story".  It is derived from the dance dramas of ancient India.  When the patronage shifted from the temples to the royal court, there was a change in the overall emphasis.  The emphasis shifted from the telling of religious stories to one of entertainment.  Today, along with the story-telling aspect the dance is also primarily an abstract exploration of rhythm and movement.

This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers. These bards, performing in village squares and temple courtyards, mostly specialized in recounting mythological and moral tales from the scriptures, and embellished their recitals with hand gestures and facial expressions. It was quintessential theatre, using instrumental and vocal music along with stylized gestures, to enliven the stories. Its form today contains traces of temple and ritual dances, and the influence of the bhakti movement. From the 16th century onwards it absorbed certain features of Persian dance and Central Asian dance which were imported by the royal courts of the Mughal era.

The structure of a conventional Kathak performance tends to follow a progression in tempo from slow to fast, ending with a dramatic climax. There are also compositions consisting solely of footwork.

Often the performer will engage in rhythmic 'play' with the time-cycle, for example splitting it into triplets or quintuplets which will be marked out on the footwork, so that it is in counterpoint to the rhythm on the percussion.

Travelcalutta provides you the unique experience of learning these Dances of India. Join in, in this wonderful experience and take back a slice of India’s unique culture to your land.

Ofcourse it takes years to master a particular form. We provide a one month preliminary package and then it is upto you to decide if you want to go deep and learn the trait or just skim the surface and get a taste.
Once you get involved in the dances we also give you the chance to visit the places from where the dances have originated, so you get the deepest feel of each Classical Dance of India.


Mail us : travelcalcutta@gmail.com call us on surendra sharma 09062573227

Durga Festival - Oct 3rd to Oct 6th 2011

Goddess Durga

Durga Puja is the biggest festival of Bengali Hindus held in the Autumn season. Puja means "worship," and Durga's Puja is celebrated from the sixth to tenth day of the waxing moon in the month of Ashshin, which is the sixth month in the Bengali calendar. It is celebrated with intense fervour and zest. The festive mood is seen in every part of the city of Kolkata.

In India woman is worshiped as Power and Goddess Durga is perhaps the most widely worshiped aspect of Shakti [ Power]. 

Shakti (power)

The puja is held over a ten-day period, which is traditionally viewed as the coming of the married daughter, Durga, to her father, Himalaya's home.

Durga with husband Shiva and son Ganesha

It is the most important festival in Bengal, and Bengalis celebrate with new clothes and other gifts, which are worn on the evenings when the family goes out to see the pandals (temporary structures set up to venerate the goddess).

Pandal (an artificial structure created for the festival)

 Although it is a Hindu festival, religion takes a backseat on these five days: Durga Puja in Bengal is a carnival, where people from all backgrounds, regardless of their religious beliefs, participate and enjoy themselves to the hilt

In Kolkata alone more than ten thousand pandals (artificial temples) are set up. The city is adorned with lights. People from all over the country visit the city at this time, and every night is one mad carnival where thousands of people go 'pandal-hopping' with their friends and family.

Though worship of Durga was done from time immemorial, it was during the 18^th century, however, that the worship of Durga became popular among the landed elite of Bengal, Zamindars. Prominent Pujas were conducted by the landed zamindars and jagirdars, enriched by British rule, including Raja Nabakrishna Deb, of Shobhabajar, who initiated an elaborate Puja at his residence. Many of these old pujas exist to this day.

Sobhabazar Family Puja

Durga puja mood starts off with the Mahishasuramardini' – it is a recitation of hymns from the scriptures from the Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi.

Inside these complex edifices is a stage on which Durga reigns, standing on her lion mount, wielding ten weapons in her ten hands.

Another Pandal

 This is the religious center of the festivities, and the crowds gather to offer flower worship or pushpanjali (offering flowers) on the mornings, of the sixth to ninth days of the waxing moon fortnight known as Devi Pakshya (lit. Devi = goddess; Pakshya = period; Devi Pakshya meaning the period of the goddess). 

Offering flowers to the goddess

Ritual drummers – dhaakis, carrying large leather-strung drums –– show off their skills during ritual dance worships called aarati.

Dhakis (ritual drummers)

 On the tenth day, Durga the mother returns to her husband, Shiva, ritualised through her immersion into the waters.

Durga immersion 

The worship always depicts Durga with her four children, and occasionally two attendant deities Jaya and Bijaya and some banana-tree figures. Attached is an image of Durga with her children, her pet lion and the demon though splayed by the goddess still claims to fame and gets the opportunity to come with her on her earthly visit and even get worship of people.

 It is a worship of power of Good which always wins over the bad.

Our tour to Kolkata Durga Puja will be a gala affair of four days. Read details bellow

Day 1. SAPTAMI    OCT 21, 2012

Tour starts at 9am.

The first day tour will take you to the erst while babu houses or landlord houses of Kolkata which includes :

1.       The house of Rani Rashmoni the rich lady who had taken up the control of the business after the death of her husband. This puja was started from 1793.

2.       Thanthania Dutta House, where even today 120 members of the family all live together. Puja started in 1866

3.      Latu babu and Chattu babu house. Even though they were siblings they had great rivalry in business.

4.        Khelat ghosh House. It’s a house which has still maintained its grandeur and wealth.

5.       Shobhabazar House. There are two houses here where puja started just after the Battle of Plassy  1757.

Drop back at the hotel.

Evening at leisure or a Heritage Tram ride could be arranged for the ones interested.

Day 2. ASTAMI  Oct 22, 2012

Tour starts at 9am.
You will be taken to a family home where a young girl before she starts her menstrual cycle is worshiped as the embodiment of the Goddess.

After the ceremony you will be treated to a gala lunch with the family. This will be a Marwari family from Rajasthan. These families have made Kolkata their home from the middle of 1800s and now are an intrigal  part of Kolkata life.

Back to hotel for freshen-up for the evening festivity.

Many other communities  of India has also made Kolkata their home. The evening will be spent with the people from Gujarat who celebrate this festival in their own unique style. They worship the nine forms of Durga and to them the festival is Navaratri. Dance is an intregal part of their worship where all assemble and do the Garba and Dandia dance. You can also join in, in their playful mood and learn a step or two. 

Day 3. NABAMI   OCT 23, 2012

Tour starts at 9am.

It’s going to be the most fun day as you will be taken around the city visiting the temporary temples made for the Goddess. They can look like anything, from Taj Mahal to Buckingham Palace, Eifel Tower to a hut in the remote hills of Assam.

The morning will be spent visiting Pandals (artificial temples) of South Kolkata

Lunch will be served in a Bengali home with traditional Bengali cuisine.

Then the rest of the day will be hopping around North Kolkata Pandals.

Day 4. DASAMI   OCT 24, 2012

It’s the last day of the festivity.

You will get a hena tattoo done by an expert who will meet you in your hotel room at 10.30 in the morning.

At 3.30pm you will get all dressed up in sari for ladies and dhoti kurta for men for the last ceremony of the festival. You will then be escorted to a traditional babu house where you will joing in Sindur Khela (playing with vermillion), it’s a tradition with married ladies for the good life of their husbands and for unmarried girls for a better future. Then you will walk upto the Ganges with all the family members where they carry the Goddess on their shoulder for emersion ceremony.

Package price:

Tour cost per person: INR 23,500/- =  USD 534@ 44

Package includes :  

Four days tours in couch/car with English speaking Guide , lunch on day 2 and day 3, hena tattoo, sari for ladies and dhoti kurta for men with experts to drape them.

Package does not include : 

Air fare, hotel accommodation, heritage tram ride and  other expenses. 

However we can book accommodation for you just inform us your desires for accommodation.

We book hotels (all budget), Ashrams and Homestays.

For further details mail at travelcalcutta@gmail.com

Call Suren at +7602418005 private number 

we also organise hand rickshaw tour, walk tour of kolkata bazzar tour, pilgrtim tour, cruise tour ,

SHANTINIKETAN STUDENT TOUR

KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA

KATHMANDU 

NORTH EAST WITH HONEYMOON

THAILAND

HIMACHAL

JHAMMU AND KASHMIR

AND MANY MORE ASK FOR ALL SORTS OF LUXURY TRANSPORT, ASSISTENCE, GUIDE, HOTEL BOOKING, TRANSFERS