INDIA – The Asiatic lion

INDIA – The Asiatic lion

India

The Asiatic lion, also called the Indian lion, is a subspecies of lion that lives only in the Forest of Gir, in the Indian state of Gujarat.

The Asiatic lion is one of the five big cats of India, together with the Bengal tiger, the Indian leopard, the snow leopard and the clouded leopard, it is sometimes mistakenly considered the national animal of India, but in reality the animal symbol of India is the tiger.

The Asian lions compared to the African cousins are similar in size and shape, but have differences in the skull (ears and nose), the male specimen has on average a less imposing mane but has a fur that is more developed overall ( for example, the tufts of hair on the elbows are generally more developed than in the African lion, the tail is thicker and longer).

Asian lions are social animals that live in flocks, less numerous than those of African lions and on average they include only two females (instead of four-six), they have less sociable habits and join the other members of the herd only to mate or around to the carcass of a particularly large prey.

They feed mainly on deer, antelopes, gazelles, wild boars, wild buffalo and domestic cattle, so in general they are fairly small prey for which capture requires the collaboration of a few elements.

 

The hunt for these animals was a very popular activity among British settlers and Indian royalty, fortunately the numbers in the last decade have increased, about 700 specimens have been registered.

INDIA – The Cricket

INDIA – The Cricket

India

Cricket is a team sport born in England, at least in its modern form, and is practiced today mainly in the Commonwealth countries, including obviously India where it is the most popular sport and with the greatest financial interests.

It is practiced with a bat (characterized by a long flat part), ball and glove and is played between 2 teams made up of 11 players each.

The length of the matches can last from hours to several days. A version called Twenty20 was therefore established, lasting about 3/4 hours. This is the formula that is practiced in India and that, after the victory of the Indian National team of the World Cup in 1983, has brought cricket to grow in interest, both sporting and commercial with many live spectators (50-60 thousand per game) and glued in front of the TV (the broadcasting rights are absolutely exorbitant).

The Indian championship –IPL Indian Premier League– has become the richest in the world and therefore attracts the strongest players on the planet with pharaonic engagements. The curiosity is that this championship is made up of only 8 teams and lasts only 2 months, April and May.

How do you play cricket? The game is played between two teams of eleven elements. It is played on a grass field with an oval or rectangular shape, with an area called “pitch” in the center, which represents the launch area and the bases at the perimeter. Each fraction of the game, called “innings”, a team throws and defends against 2 opponents at bat who, once eliminated, are replaced by a teammate until the elimination of the tenth batter. Alternating roles are played between one time and another. The winner is the one who scores the most points, in practice the one who can beat and run better and then not be eliminated in the batting.

The most important roles are the batter, the pitcher, the fielder (who retrieves the batted balls) and the wicket-keeper (who is behind the batter, in an important and strategic position).

An important aspect is however the spirit of the game: there are written rules that include respect for the opponent, for the referees and the traditional values of the game; the prohibition to address disrespectful or offensive words to the referee and to opponents, and above all the absolute condemnation of any violent act between players.

It is therefore a very complete sport, which combines athletics and tactics, all with at the base values of absolute respect towards the opponent.

Ladakh, Indian Tibet celebrating Padmasambhava

Ladakh, Indian Tibet celebrating Padmasambhava

India Ladakh

The concept of experiential tourism is becoming more and more common: it is a unique and original way of traveling, as it stimulates the heart, mind and soul simply by savoring the destination in an authentic way, taking part in moments of everyday life for you  with the locals. All this is a dream when the chosen destination is India, a land of a thousand colors, scents and knowledge that captivates the visitor by involving him in a profound spiritual journey.The beautiful season invites you to discover the wonders of the upper Indus Valley, surrounded by the Buddhist spirituality of its countless monasteries and the colors of the Hemis Festival.

This Festival is celebrated every year on the tenth day of Tsechu, the lunar month of the Tibetan calendar.This colorful show commemorates the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. It is held in Hemis Gompa, an incredible Buddhist monastery founded in 1672 AD by King Senge Nampar Gyalva. The ceremonies begin with a morning ritual on top of the Gompa where, to the rhythm of the drums and the clamorous clash of cymbals together with the spiritual lament of pipe, the portrait of “Dadmokarpo” or “Rygyalsras Rinpoche” is ceremonially put on display for everyone admire and adore. Dressed in brightly colored tunics, adorned with colorful masks  the monks perform a religious dance on melodies exploded by large horns, which makes the Hemis Festival an incredible extravagance, a feast for the eyes and the joy of everyone.The historical correspondent Cox and Kings for this extraordinary occasion recommends a trip of 6 days and 5 nights with departures on 11 July for a complete immersion in this magical, unforgettable festival.

The unusual India, on the occasion of the Kumbh Mela festival: a unique experience to deeply know a culture completely different from ours.

The unusual India, on the occasion of the Kumbh Mela festival: a unique experience to deeply know a culture completely different from ours.

Festival & Eventi India Kumbh Mela

Whether it is your first trip to India, or, more likely, the ideal completion of your journey to the Indian subcontinent, we would like to highlight that visiting India on this planetary event will undoubtedly give you strong emotions. The beautiful ritual of the gestures and the simplicity of the pilgrims are an integral part of the unique charm of the event. For those who missed the newsletter last month, remember that The Kumbh Mela is the most important gathering in the life of the Sadhu.

It is held in Allahabad, Ujjain, Hardwar and Nasik, in a 12-year cycle, alternating cities so that every three years a Kumbh Mela takes place. The 12-year cycle is related to the movement of Jupiter through the zodiac; when Jupiter enters Aquarius (Kumbha) it is the right moment; its exact date is determined by the lunar cycles but the final decision is taken by the Naga Baba and in particular by the Juna Akhara. Our historic partner Cox & King for this occasion provides interesting stays at a jewel of hospitality:

The Ultimate Traveling Camp of Sangam Nivas has a stay specifically dedicated to guests oriented to spirituality and inner well-being, which touches all the holistic aspects of Indian philosophy and mythology. A multisensory journey in the heart of the Kumbh Mela unprecedented. Guests can choose from the 17 spaciously furnished luxury tents and 27 Super Deluxe tents equipped with all modern comforts.

The camp offers a network of exclusive activities specifically designed to better enjoy the Kumbh Mela experience through morning Yoga and Meditation classes, morning cruises to admire devotees on the banks of the river, perform their ablutions and offer prayers to the deities with hymns and mantras sung in unison, consultations with an astrologer, spiritual sessions and simple, unique culinary experiences enjoying a predominantly vegetarian cuisine including satirk recipes, accompanied by freshly baked bread, cakes and biscuits prepared by the chefs.

The Ultimate Traveling Sangam Nivas Camp will be operational from January 10th to March 6th 2019.

 

For a surviving experience of the sacred

For a surviving experience of the sacred

India Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela is undoubtedly the largest religious and cultural event in India and the entire planet.

For those who love India and spirituality it is an indispensable event. An opportunity to admire a human multitude that has no equal, a whirl of faces and colors, the crowd that throws itself into the sacred waters in an atmosphere permeated by a profound spirituality. It lasts 55 days, occupies an area of ​​20 square kilometers, is held every three years in rotation in the cities of Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik and Ujjain, every twelve years instead takes place the Maha (big) Kumbh Mela, which leads to Allahabad up to one hundred million people.

The Kumbh Mela is a Hindu ritual pilgrimage, whose central element is the purifying bath which allows one to atone for all sins. Naturally, the event is an authentic concentration of faith and involves many activities where religion is the absolute protagonist.

The origins of Kumbh Mela are found in the Bhagavata Purana, one of the sacred texts of Hinduism.

According to historical reconstructions, the first editions of the event date back to the seventh century after Christ.

The start and end dates of the event are defined on the basis of a precise astrological calendar drawn from the sacred texts of Hinduism.

The Kumbh Mela provides a very specific ritual. The first to take a bath are the sadhus, followed by the gurus who are taken to the river by the disciples on colorful canopies. Finally it is up to all the other pilgrims.

The Kumbh Mela is an extraordinary event to be experienced at least once.

In 2019 Allahabad will host the next Ardh Kumbh, while at Haridwar it will be held in 2022.Haridwar is bathed by the Ganges, a sacred river par excellence. One of the most important moments of the event is the Peshwai Procession, or the procession of the holy men towards the waters of the river. During the Kumbh Mela, in addition to the ritual bath, there will be theological discussions, celebrations, devotional songs and much more, all in pure Indian style.Our historic partner Cox & King for this occasion provides interesting packages of 9 days, from January to March 2019, which touch the most significant cities of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh and with extensions of a further 4 days in the Fablet Forest with the possibility to visit the parks of (Lucknow and Dudhwa National Park).The Kumbh Mela is undoubtedly the most extraordinary expression of the spirituality of India, a certain challenging event but worth participating at least once in a lifetime !!!

India, a journey into the past

India, a journey into the past

India

And in order not to miss anything, this month, until September 30th, the historical correspondent Cox & King offers a Royal Stay in India of 15 days and 14 nights.

A journey into the past, into an age of luxury and ancient splendor; an experience of opulence and extravagance, to relive the story while tasting traditional delicacies; exploring thundering bazaars through winding alleys that once housed the artisans and personal jewelers of kings and queens.

A journey that starts from Delhi capital  to get to the spiritual heart of Varanasi, to continue in the city of Mughal in Agra, in the legendary Fatehpur Sikri and through the royal cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur.

Fabulous India and the new born of The Ultimate Traveling Camp

Fabulous India and the new born of The Ultimate Traveling Camp

India

To hide in the rainforest, escape to 2,500 meters in the Himalayan mountains, go looking for tigers or do yoga watching the ocean …
A trip to India is often described using various expressions, ‘Last Shangri-La’, ‘Little Tibet’, ‘Lunar Landscape’. In reality there are no suitable words to describe Ladakh, a place of rare beauty. Land between the two most imposing chains in the world, the Himalayas and the Karakorum, where the sacred river Indo flows. Ladakh is perhaps a representation of what Tibet really must have been before the Chinese invasion: high-altitude turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks, whitewashed gompas, strong perched mountains and sand dunes. A trip to India certainly does not offer only wonderful landscapes, but more unique experiences than rare, last but not  least,  sleeping in the fascinating camps of truly luxurious luxury.

Today there is one more reason to choose a destination so full of charm and live an authentic and comfortable experience. Dudhw’s new Jaagir Lodge, just opened its doors (November 2017) with a proposal of super luxurious rooms, personalised butler service, an award-winning chef but more than anything else, benefits from a suggestive position, as inserted in a huge national park with exuberant nature.

Also in the immediate vicinity,   the Royal Shuklaphama Wildlife Reserve,
Royal Bardia National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Katerniaghat Wildlif and Sanctuary, Pilibhit Tigris Reserve, Satiana Grasslands and Southern Kheri Forestry Division

India is home of  an abundant amount of wildlife. Inside the new reserve of the Lodge live a myriad of animals, where you can see tigers, rhinos, jackals, owls, fishing cats and leopards, elephants, many species of deer, many of them endangered or even through trips in boat, see the crocodiles hunting in the shallows.
There are almost 500 species of birds in the area, including the Bengal Fioral and the great woodpecker. There are delicious dronges, barbells, cormorants, hornbills, bulbul, teal, herons, bee-eaters, kingfishers, egrets and owls.

Finally in the evening, you can relax in the sumptuous suites, enjoy a five-star cuisine and admire the glorious parade of stars that shine above your  heads.

INDIA

INDIA

India

Senza dubbio, l’India è il paese più coinvolgente, colorato, caotico, spirituale e affermativo della vita del mondo. È un assalto ai sensi – tutti, quasi tutta la durata del viaggio.

Da oggi è più semplice recarsi in India grazie all’introduzione del visto elettronico per i turisti italiani, compilando un semplice form online, caricando la  propria foto, pagando la tassa e le commissioni bancarie del 2,5% ed entro uno o due giorni il richiedente riceverà una mail per sapere se la propria domanda è stata accettata.

Cosa aspettate ? Noi l’operatore più storico e leader nell’organizzazione di viaggi in questo meraviglioso paese lo abbiamo

Info: www.coxandkingsinbound.com