THE KNOWN CITY

DEEPWALI Diwali or Deepawali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in autumn in the northern hemisphere.  Deepawali  , is a festival of lights symbolising the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The word ' Deepawali ' literally means rows of diyas (clay lamps). This is one of the most popular festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the 15 th  day of Kartika (October/November). This year  Deepawali is on 30th october. The most beautiful of all Indian festivals, Diwali is a celebration of lights. Streets are illuminated with rows of clay lamps and homes are decorated with colours and candles. This festival is celebrated with new clothes, spectacular firecrackers and a variety of sweets in the company of family and friends. All this illumination and fireworks, joy and festivity, signify the victory of divine forces over those of wicked. The Goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu), who is the symbol of we

India is a beautiful and bamboozling place, an endlessly fascinating country that is often challenging and always surprising. Stretched between the golden beaches of the Indian Ocean and the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan mountains lies an incredible tapestry of natural and man-made wonders – astounding temples, mystical monasteries, frenetic cities, pristine national parks, lavish palaces, lost kingdoms, mesmerising markets and some of the world’s most iconic monuments. Visiting India is an assault on the senses. Sights, sounds, smells and sensations are all experienced at maximum intensity. On day one, it can feel intimidating, but by the end of the first week, the noise and chaos will seem like an ordinary part of life. The sensory stimulation becomes strangely addictive. India is one of the world's great melting pots, where an incredible diversity of cultures, religions and ethnicities live in surprising harmony. Presided over by an extraordinary array of gods and deities,

The Durga Puja Festival of Kolkata DURGA PUJA, KOLKATA Navratri has begun and the whole nation looks beautiful in all those bright lights and decoration. Durga Pandals, Navratri venues, food stalls and fairs; you will see these in every nook and corner of most part of the country. Dussehra being just few days away, India is all prepared to celebrate Dussehra that falls on the 11th of this month this year. Dussehra also popularly known as Vijayadashami is one of the largest and the most celebrated festivals of India. Dussehra is celebrated after the nine days of dancing and fun of Navratri. The word Dussehra was derived from the Sanskrit word Dasha-Hara which also means Ravana’s defeat. Dussehra is celebrated to honor the victory of good over evil and there are many stories that symbolize the significance of Dussehra. However, among all the stories the most popular ones are Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura and also Ram’s victory over Ravan. According to mythology, it

GURUDWARA BANGLA SAHIB Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is an idyllic consummation of rich Sikh values and traditions, with an inspiration for brotherhood, spirituality and a better future.  Experience divine bliss and religious revival atone of one of the most prominent Sikh Gurudwara, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara in New Delhi. The religious epicentre attracts devotees from around the globe to experience tranquillity and closure to a contented lifestyle. The Gurudwara Bangla Sahib was originally a lavish bungalow of Raja Jai Singh, and was named as Jaisinghpura Palace. Later on, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara came into existence in the year 1783 as a representation of benignant of the eighth Sikh guru, Guru Har Kishan Sahib Ji who served the poor and downtrodden during en epidemic in the year 1664. The Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is established in honor of Guru Har Kishan Sahib. The mesmerizing beauty of the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, nestled along a glimmering pond, is a spectacle to behold. It is exquisit

The Brindavan Gardens, then called the Krishnarajendra Terrace Garden, on the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam site, one of the most beautifully laid out terrace gardens in the world. It is world famous for its symmetric design. The creative beautification of the whole dam complex has been the achievement of Sir Mirza Ismail, the then Dewan of the princely State of Mysore. The garden is designed based on the  Shalimar Gardens of Kashmir in the Mughal style. The Department of Horticulture in 1927 started the work of laying out this garden. The garden is enriched with fountains, terraces, parterres, running and cascading water channels, water chutes, lush green lawns, flower beds, shrubs and trees. This garden is a public park and it is one of the important tourist spots of India. The boating pond in the midst of the garden is a location where the visitors can enjoy a boat ride around the famous statue of Goddess Kaveri. It is a mesmerizing sight when the whole garden is lit up in the e

The land of many religions and faiths, India has some of the most vibrant and interesting festivals in the world. Each religion has its own unique festival and traditions. In India, the festival season starts in August and continues till the end of the year. And Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important and much awaited festivals of all. Ganesh Chaturthi, which is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is celebrated in honor of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. The festival is celebrated on chaturthi or the fourth day of the Hindu month Bhaadrapada. Ganesha festival usually lasts ten days and this year it will start on September 5. The land of many religions and faiths, India has some of the most vibrant and interesting festivals in the world. Each religion has its own unique festival and traditions. In India, the festival season starts in August and continues till the end of the year. And Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important and much awaited festivals of all. Ganesh

JANMASHTAMI Janmashtami is one of the most vibrant festivals celebrated in India. Typically falling in the months of August/September, Janmashtami or Gokulashtami celebrates the birth of Krishna. Krishna is one of the most celebrated gods in the Hindu pantheon and he is believed to be Vishnu’s eighth incarnation. Janmashtami celebrations are characterized by ostentatious decorations, animated rituals, and rigorous prayer sessions and above all, a practise called dahi handi in which an earthen pot with curd (dahi) is tied at a height of around 20 feet and participants make a human pyramid to reach and break the pot. This is the enactment of a legend associated with Krishna’s childhood where he was believed to break such earthen pots containing butter by forming pyramids with his friends. If you wish to witness Hindu culture, traditions and rituals at their very best, Janmashtami is your best bet. The enthusiasm, love and devotion for Krishna, and the sheer joy of breaking f

The Cambodia capital known as the 'Pearl of Asia’ in its past wast a hub for both - Khmer Empire & French colonialists. Visitors can stroll along the river front, lined with parks, restaurants and bars. Major attractions include the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum that display artifacts from around the country. One should also experience the art deco Central Market.

TSOMGO LAKE Tsomgo Lake is a two-hour drive from Gangtok on the Gangtok-Nathu La highway. About a kilometre-long and 50 metres deep, Tsomgo Lake is popular as a tourist attraction and a holy site as well. It’s encircled by lush green landscapes on all sides.  A small Shiva temple, some food stalls and several beautiful plants and flowers can be seen at the Tsomgo Lake. Tourists can also enjoy a yak ride around the lake. On days without sunshine, you'll often see the Changu Lake hidden in a veil of mist. @THEKNOWNCITY