Mehndi, the word itself indicates the bond of love; the bond of purity; the bond of happiness; the bond of joy; the bond of a colorful life.it stands for tradition as well as style too.basically mehndi is a special kind of art of making designs on women’s hands n feet.but now it is being used for guys as well as on every part of body.

the art of mehndi is existing from centuries.no one knows the origin of it.different people believe different mythilogies of mehndi.some people believe that indian started the tradition of art of mehndi while others believe that arabic muslims has introduced this art to indian.but i personaly believe that its completely wastage of time to find out the origin of this most popular indian artwork.

in indian weddings mehndi is an essential part.these days it does’t used only for bride & groom .their relatives friends also do the same.basically it was used for its cooling healing in scorchin summer in india.it helps the bride n groom to control the physical exhaustion & its perfume avoids mental stress during wedding ceremony.it also helps [for arranged marriage] the new married couple as well as their families to make a new bond between them though this mehndi ceremony .there are some few customs also for mehndi like if the color of the mehndi will be darker the bonding of love will be more between that couple.another one is very popular in indian families.generally the name of the groom is written in somewhere of the design of mehndi in bride’s hand and the groom has to find out his own name from that design.if he fails it is being assumed that the supirity of the bride will remain between that couple.and after marriage it is believed that the bride wont participate any of the housework untill the color of her mehndi is removing completely from her hands and feet.it means she wont do anything like scrubbing washing cooking etc.

HOW TO USE

these days people dont do these themselves for wedding ceremonies.still few people like to do this by the female head of the family.

mehndi leaves has to be dried in the sun for few weeks then after it will b crisp it can be grinded to powers.else readymade mehndi powder can be bought from the market.

for mehndi paste :

ingredients :

1. henna powder

2. eucalyptus oil

3. strong tea decoction

4. lime juice

5. sugar

procedure :

take the powder in a bowl n mix the decoction to make a thick paste.then add few drops of eucalyptus oil.mix the sugar with the lime juice seperately and add the mixture in the mehndi paste.mix it well to make a smooth n thick paste.cover it with a thin cotton cloth and leave the paste for atleast 12 hours. then fill the cone with this paste n use it.

for the cone :

take a thick plastic sheet cut it in a rectangle shape.then twist it by one corner to give it the shape of a cone.

now fill the cone wit the paste tightly n seal the top of the cone with a thread.now make a very tiny hole in the tip.

now your mehndi cone is ready to dance with your imagination.

before applyin the mehndi take few drops of eucalyptus oil in a cotton ball and rub it on the body part where the mehndi will be done.after making your desired designs leave the mehndi art to dry n pat the mixture of lime juice and sugar with a cotton ball on the mehndi design few times.it wll give the mehndi darker color.then leave it for 5/6 hours.n DNOT TOUCH IT.after that scrap it with the blunt face of a knief.dnt touch water for atleast next 6/7 hours.it will give your mehndi deep color n amezing effect.

but the color of mehndi varies from person to person just cause of the skin tone and texture.

Honeymoon,the term itself has a great meaning.How many of us realy know the actual meaning of the term itself.

One of the youngest citations in the Oxford English Dictionary indicates that, while today honeymoon has a positive meaning, the word was actually a cynical reference to the inevitable waning of love like a phase of the moon. This, the first literary reference to the honeymoon was penned in 1552, in Richard Huloet’s Abecedarium Anglico Latinum. Huleot writes:

So basicaly we can see that honeymoon may lead us to a nother level.Here we will give u some info abt great honeymoon destinations which will make your honeymoon trip more special.

Every couple who’s about to marry looks forward to their honeymoon, but not all have enough money left over after the wedding to take one. (No one says you have to go on your honeymoon right after the wedding. You could wait a couple of months until your cash reconstitutes… or slip away for a honeymoon before the big event!) Whenever you take the time to honeymoon, these 10 ideas can help you save money and travel in style.So i kept that in mind while choosing the destinations.In the first post we will only consider indain destinations. later we will add other destinations.

Darjeeling

Location

Nestled in a ridge at an altitude of 2134 m above the sea level, Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station in the state of West Bengal. Darjeeling was gifted to the British East India Company in 1835 by the king of West Bengal.

Sight Seeing

Darjeeling is an ideal place as a hill station from the heat and dust of the city life. The tourist attractions of the hill station of Darjeeling are plenty to keep the tourists occupied all through their vacations. The Tiger Hill is 11 km from the town. It is a must visit place for all the tourists as it offers magnificent view of the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga. Senchal Lake is near the Tiger Hill and is called the ‘Lake of Damp Mist’. The lake fulfills the domestic water requirements of Darjeeling. Observatory Hill also offers a splendid view of the twin peak of Kanchenjunga. One can visit the place for the Mahakal Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and a Buddhist shrine. Ghoom Monastery, 8 km from the town, is the most famous monastery of Darjeeling and has an image of Maitreya Buddha. Yiga-Choiling Monastery is located just below the Ghoom Monastery. The monastery belongs to Gelugpa Sect and has a 15 ft tall statue of Maitreya Buddha. Dhirdham Temple is a prominent Hindu temple in Darjeeling built on the model of the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. The Natural History Museum was established in 1903 and has on display the Himalayan and Bengali fauna. Kanchenjunga is the pride of Darjeeling. Lloyds Botanical Garden has a rich collection of ash, birch, chestnut, magnolia and maple trees. There are also Himalayan plants and orchids in the 40-acre garden. The Railway Loop, 5 km from Darjeeling, must be visited for the Darjeeling Himalayan railways more popularly known as the Toy Train.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport from Darjeeling is at Bagdogra, which is about 90 km away.

By Rail: Siliguri at a distance of 80 km and New Jalpaiguri junction are the nearest stations to Darjeeling. These stations are well connected with the major cities like Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Chennai and Varanasi.

By Road: NH-31 connects Darjeeling with other parts of India. There are fast and frequent bus services between Calcutta and Siliguri with connections to Darjeeling. West Bengal STC Bus has regular services on this route

Kerala backwater Tours

Duration: 04 Nights/05 Days
Destinations Covered: Cochin – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Kayamkulam

Day 01: Cochin Arrival
Kerala Backwater Tour starts with your arrival at Cochin International Airport where our representative receives you and escorts you to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 02: Cochin – Kumarakom
Post breakfast transfer to Kumarakom that gives you an authentic feel of tranquil Kerala backwaters. Upon arrival, check in to hotel and later proceed for sightseeing to the renowned Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and some other places decided in your tour to Kerala backwaters, India. Spend the night in Kumarakom. Day 02 of Kerala Backwater Tour ends.

Day 03: Kumarakom – Alleppey
The picturesque town of Alleppey is a must visit destination in Kerala tour packages and your next stopover too. In the morning, you check in to a traditional luxury houseboat at Kumarakom that takes you on a memorable cruise through the Kerala backwaters. Enjoy sightseeing of various beautiful places that lie en route. All meals served on board your floating villa and enjoy a night stay at the houseboat. End of day 03 of Kerala Backwater Tour.

Day 04: Alleppey – Kayamkulam
Today morning, the houseboat takes you to the beautiful town of Kayamkulam, another backwater site in your tour plan for Kerala backwaters. Disembark from the boat at the serene Kayamkulam Lake and spend the day here. Day 04 of Kerala Backwater Tour ends.

Day 05: Kayamkulam – Cochin
Kayamkulam is the last destination in the tour itineraries for backwaters in Kerala. Today morning, after breakfast, transfer to Cochin International Airport where our representative awaits you to assist in boarding the flight back home or to any other onward destination of Kerala tours. End of Kerala Backwater Tour.

Andaman And Nicobor Tour

4 Nights / 5 Days

Day 01 Port Blair
Your India holiday begins when you arrive in the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar islands - Port Blair. After getting down at the airport, you are received and transferred by our travel executives to the hotel. Day is free for leisure and exploring the islands widely. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02 Port Blair
In the morning visit Corbyn’s Cove beach, a picturesque beach with tall coconut trees swaying alongside the white sands and the emerald sea. Another beach, 25 km from Port Blair, Chidiatapu is the famous bird island that attracts bird watchers, bird lovers, ornithologists and nature lovers. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03 Port Blair
Enjoy your holiday on the beaches, admiring the virgin beauty of the surroundings. Visit some of the best museums in India - Samudrika Naval Maritime Museum, Anthropological Museum, Forest Museum, Aquarium Museum and Zoological Survey of India Museum. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 04 Port Blair
Your Day is free to explore some more tourist destinations like Chantham Island, Cellular Jail, Amusement Park and Harbour Cruise. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 05 Departure
Transfer to the airport where the executive from India Holiday Packages will help you to board a flight from the airport for your onward destination.

The Punjabis, known for their zest for life, vivaciousness and of course, the bhangra, know how to pull all stops when it comes to celebrating. And what better occasion to celebrate than a wedding in the family?There are some main events which takes place at the time of punjabi wedding.the following poast will discuss about those events.
RokaAs soon as the couple agree to wed, the roka or saith ceremony, which is an announcement that the boy and girl have found their soulmates and will look no further for a life partner, is held. The girl’s mama (mother’s brother) gives her the nath (nose ring) which she will wear on her wedding. The origin of this ceremony lies in the arranged marriage norm where the parents would let out the world that they are looking for a suitable match for their son or daughter. And once they had found that match, their search had come to an end. Though rings are not exchanged, the couple stand unofficially engaged after this ceremony.
SagaiThe wedding celebrations begin with the tikka ceremony, held a week to ten days before the wedding (depending on the number of functions to follow) in which the family of the girl visits that of the boy’s carrying beautifully wrapped gifts and the tikka material: a silver tray with a few grains of rice and saffron in a tiny silver bowl, 14 chuharey (dried dates) covered with silver foil and a coconut wrapped in a gold leaf. The father of the girl applies ‘tikka’ on his son-in-law’s forehead and gives him his blessings and some money. In return, the girl’s family receives baskets of seven dried fruits: almonds, cashewnuts, chuahara, coconut pieces, raisins, khurman (dried apricots) and phoolmakhana, at the kudmai (sagai or engagement). Nowadays the tikka ceremony is usually combined with the engagement. First, the girl is draped with a chunni (stole), which is usually very ornate. In some families this chunni is a family heirloom, passed down from generation to generation. She is also presented with jewellery, which her mother and sister-in-law help her wear. A tiny dot of mehendi is applied to her palm for good luck, and the function is sealed with the exchange of rings. Everyone present congratulates the couple by feeding them sweet.
SangeetAfter this function start the fun and dance. There is a sangeet function hosted by the girl’s family, in which just a few close members of the boy’s family are invited. The girl’s family play the dholki (an elongated tabla) sing songs in which they tease the boy and his family, telling them to thank their stars they were lucky to find such a wonderful girl. who they probably didn’t deserve! All in jest, of course, but they take care not to get carried away. After this, it is the boy’s turn to retaliate, which they do in another sangeet function hosted by them. Though these are the traditional sangeets, many families opt for live bands or a disc jockey to churn out one dance track after another as guests shake a leg on the floor.
MehendiThe last major function before the wedding is the mehendi. Mehendiwallis are called to the respective houses of the boy and girl and they apply mehendi to the palms of the female family members, and the hands and feet of the bride. A basket containing bindis and bangles is handed around so girls can choose those that match the outfit they plan to wear to the wedding.
The Final CountdownThe maaiyan of the bride starts three days before the wedding, which means she is now not supposed to leave the house until the big day. These days are meant for complete relaxation. She is not even supposed to meet the groom (if he can stay away!). The morning of the wedding, batna, a paste of flour and turmeric, is applied to the face, hands and legs of the bride. This is believed to beautify the skin. She then has a bath and sits for the puja, after which she is made to wear the bridal ‘chura’, red and white ivory bangles that signify her status as a bride. Her relatives then tie a kalira (jingle) on these churas, which convey their good wishes and blessings. The eligible girls line up and the bride lightly bangs her kaliras on their head. It is believed that by doing this, these girls would be the next to get married.Similarly the groom’s relatives also apply batna, more as a jest than a serious ceremony. This is followed by a puja, after which his mother ties a sehera (veil of flowers) on his turban, praying that his life ahead will be as beautiful and fragrant as the flowers. (And if the groom is ugly, the more of his face covered, the better!) He is then seated on a female horse and his sisters tie a mauli (sacred thread) on the reins of his horse. They also detain the horse in the tradition known as baagpakdai, saying that they won’t leave it’s reins unless their brother bribes them. Once they are satisfied with the cash or jewellery bribe, they release the reins so the groom can gallop off to fetch his bride.
At The VenueThe bride’s family waits at the entrance to greet the baarat (the groom and his family), who reach singing and dancing. The father, brother, uncles and grandfathers of the groom embrace the corresponding members of the bride’s family. While embracing, they try to lift each other up. as a show of strength and superiority, amidst much laughter and cheer. When they enter the venue the bride is brought out and the couple exchange garlands. The groom, who is usually taller than the bride, is not supposed to bend while she is garlanding him, to tease the bride as if to say she is the one who would have to compromise in the relationship; he will not bend. Another game played is by placing a ring in a plate filled with milk. The bride and groom dip their hands in the plate and the one who comes out with the ring will dominate in the marriage. The wedding concludes with the pheras, where the couple exchange vows in front of the sacred fire. The bride’s parents give her hand to the groom in marriage in what is known as the kanyadaan. In the earlier days, in exchange for the bride, her in-laws would donate a sacred cow (gaudaan)! Nowadays money says it all, and a donation is given to the pundit. The couple take four rounds of the fire, and seven steps to the North to signify advancement as they walk together through life. Then the bride puts a foot on a stone as she says no matter what problems come their way, she will be stable - solid as a rock. Her brother pours kheel (a sweet) into her hands, which she pours into her husband’s hands. Just as the kheel cannot return to it’s original state of grain, neither can the bride return to her earlier state of daughter of the house.

Once this is done the boy’s father sprinkles water on the newly-weds to say that if there are misunderstandings between them, he will help calm them down - not add fuel to the fire. The bride then makes a tearful farewell to her new home in what is known as the ‘bidai’. Traditionally she would sit in a doli (palanquin) which would be carried by the bride’s brothers. Even now some brides sit in a doli, which takes her to the getaway car, where the groom and a few members of his family are waiting to escort her home. She gets in, and zooms off to her new home - and new life.The Punjabi wedding style is the pure reflection of north indiaan life style.it gives us the idea abt north indian life style.it does give us some beautiful moment of a wedding.