News

Jaipur to celebrate eco-friendly Diwali and Christmas

Diwali is just around the corner and India is already gearing up to fight all the pollution. In a bid to control sound and air pollution, Jaipur in Rajasthan has set new rules and regulations for fireworks to address pollution and ensure safety on Diwali, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. The rule is implemented by the Rajasthan government and the Department of Environment and Climate Change. It will focus on eco-friendly "green" fireworks, aiming to balance festive joy with the need to protect air quality and public health. On this note, let’s have a look at 10 key facts to know about Jaipur’s new rules for fireworks in Rajasthan: Fireworks rules: The Rajasthan government along with the Department of Environment and Climate Change, has introduced new rules for using fireworks to help reduce pollution and safeguard public health. Diwali timing: For Diwali celebrations, residents in certain districts of Rajasthan are permitted to use fireworks only between 8 PM and 10 PM. This two-hour window aims to balance festive celebrations with efforts to reduce air pollution.

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Papikondalu boat services and pilgrim tours restart in Andhra Pradesh

After a four-month break, boat services to the picturesque Papikondalu region in Andhra Pradesh have resumed, inviting tourists back to explore this scenic river paradise. The boat journeys begin at the Gandi Pochamma temple boating point in Gonduru village, Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district, located 35 kilometers from Rajamahendravaram. The first trip was met with enthusiasm, symbolizing a new start for tourism along the Godavari River and providing a boost to the local economy. The boat ride to Papikondalu offers an eight-hour journey along the River Godavari, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in the region’s natural beauty. The tours kick off from Rajamahendravaram at 7:30 am, with visitors reaching the boating point by 9:30 am. The Tourism Department's divisional manager, Ch. Pavan Kumar, emphasized that special arrangements have been made for safety and comfort, including practice drills conducted before the relaunch. These measures ensure that tourists can enjoy a safe and pleasant experience throughout their journey. The services were resumed after the end of the monsoon and cyclone season, with authorities taking a careful approach to reopening tourism in the area. Coordination among the Tourism, Irrigation, and Kakinada port authorities has led to the approval of 15 boats for Papikondalu trips.

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Ayodhya's Ram Temple targets a record 2.5 million diyas this Diwali

As per the latest news reports, the historic city of Ayodhya is all geared up for a truly grand Deepotsav celebration this Diwali, and is aiming to create a Guinness World Record with over 2.5 million diyas (earthen lamps) illuminating the ghats of the sacred Sarayu River. For this, meticulous planning is underway, and the festival is set to be a radiant symbol of devotion, culture, and celebration, reflecting the city’s profound connection to Lord Ram. Reports add that along 'Ram Ki Paidi,' the diyas will be placed in all 55 ghats to create a picturesque riverbank setting. Volunteers are working in full swing to prepare each diya, and set up in 16x16 grids, with 256 diyas per block, which will create a stunning pattern that will run the length of the riverbanks. As such, each ghat will feature rows of diyas set up in a 16×16 grid, amounting to 256 diyas per block. This ambitious endeavour is being carried out by more than 30,000 committed volunteers from Awadh University, its associated colleges, and neighbourhood non-profit organisations. About 2.8 million diyas will have been set up and lit in just two days, with the goal of having at least 2.5 million lamps aglow to set a global record. Since it is the first Diwali with Lord Ram enshrined in the recently dedicated Ram Temple in Ayodhya, this year's Deepotsav is particularly significant. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is personally supervising the preparation, and aims to make it a spectacular sight reminding the divine welcome of Lord Ram in Treta Yuga.

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Visa-free travel to Russia for Indians expected by spring 2025

Planning a trip to Russia? Well, it might be hassle free in the coming months. As per the latest news reports, Indian travellers will soon be able to enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, potentially as early as spring 2025. This development, confirmed by Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, will likely boost the number of Indian travellers visiting Moscow. Referring to this, Kozlov stated that the objective of this endeavour, which is now being discussed, is to boost tourism in the Russian capital by relaxation of travel restrictions for Indian visitors. India has already emerged as a crucial market for Russia, with more than 28,500 Indian tourists visiting Moscow in the first half of 2024. This figure demonstrates an incredible 1.5-fold increase in comparison to the same period in 2023. In addition, India was among the top non-CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries in terms of tourists visiting Moscow, with over 60,000 visitors by the end of 2023—a significant 26% increase from 2022. Records add that some of the primary highlights of Russia that lure Indian tourists are leisure, cultural discovery, and business. Meanwhile, as per the records, India has emerged as a major market for business tourism in Moscow due to the rise in popularity of travel for work and commercial purposes. Reports add that India ranked third among non-CIS countries for business visitors in the first quarter of 2024, which indicates the close economic and commercial relations between Russia and India. Kozlov noted that Moscow officials view India as an important market due to the two nations' longstanding diplomatic and cultural ties.

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Indian tourism industry leaders spotlight UP as safe travel destination

Travelling across India is safer and easier for tourists, Indian tourism industry leaders have said, promoting the country, especially Uttar Pradesh, as a premier tourist destination for Singaporeans. Their remarks came as they participated in the ITB Asia, a travel trade show held in Singapore From October 23 to October 25. We need to educate global travellers about the attractions in Uttar Pradesh and make UP known more and above the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, said Rahul Wadhwa who leads CAL India Tours and Travel. He estimated a growth of 10 per cent across the UP travel agency business. Further, Wadhwa said his Agra-based travel business was seeking collaborations globally to tie up travel arrangements and promote the state as well as India as a tourist destination. There are a growing number of five-star hotels and continuing investments in highways that make travelling across India, including UP, as seamless as the tourists expect, said the travel industry veteran of 33 years.

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The Gypsy Travel Festival Returns to Mumbai

Mumbai, 24th October 2024: As the world embraces new ways of exploring, The Gypsy Travel Festival steps in to redefine the travel experience. On 11th and 12th January, 2025, Mumbai will once again play host to the Third Edition of India’s premier curated travel showcase at Jio World Drive, offering travellers a gateway to the world’s most enchanting adventures. The vibrant two-day celebration, curated by the Gypsy Travel Network, blends together travel, culture and global cuisine in a single setting, allowing you to seamlessly plan, customise and book your dream vacation all in one go. The festival serves as a unique platform, fostering meaningful connections between key players in the travel industry and eager explorers, offering personalised guidance for those seeking adventures beyond the ordinary. Attendees can immerse themselves in virtual reality tours to dream destinations, participate in interactive workshops like perfume-making and origami, enjoy live performances and bespoke experiences artistically recreated to bring alive the richness of global traditions. With exclusive festival-only offers that simplify the booking process, expert insights from industry leaders and over 300 travel products exhibited across the 7 continents, attendees will leave with personalised inspiration for their next vacation, at unbeatable prices. Speaking about the upcoming edition, Sumit Lulla, Festival Director, stated, “Travel has evolved beyond simply ticking off destinations; it is now about discovering new places, meeting remarkable people, connecting with diverse cultures and crafting unforgettable stories along the way. Our goal is to build a thriving community of aspiring travellers through both online and offline mediums, making us India’s most trusted source of information to elevate your next trip.”

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