Wednesday, August 28, 2013

5 Wedding and Honeymoon Destinations in India



So you have just had a big fat Indian wedding and are really looking forward to spending some time alone with your beloved, far away from the prying eyes of relatives and family. Honeymoons are not just an opportunity for couples to spend some romantic or relaxing time together; it is also a chance to know each other better. Weddings are a stressful affair and especially Indian weddings where the customs and rituals seem to continue for more than a week. Honeymoon gives the couple the opportunity to unwind and feel each others presence and revel in the bond of holy matrimony that they will now share for their entire life. However, romantic that may sounds, the actual task of picking up a honeymoon destination is no mean job and requires a lot of planning from both partners.
It is said that there is no honeymoon couple who have not been fascinated by the charms of the hills. Keeping that in mind, take a look at the top 5 honeymoon destinations in India:
1.      Munnar: This is the ideal hill destination for a newlywed couple as the serene hills and the breathtaking views create an atmosphere of charm. Munnar is famous for its tea plantations and it’s Eravikulam National Park which is a storehouse of rich flora and fauna.  One can also visit the beautiful Mattupetty Lake or check out the Echo Point which is said to be a must visit for all people in love.
2.      Coorg: This place is also referred to as the Scotland of the East and not without reason. Coorg, or Kodugu as it is locally called, is for couples who enjoy both heritage and adventure with their dose of nature. One could visit the Dubare National Forest Reserve and enjoy the wildlife or visit the TalaCauvery which is said to be the source of the river Kaveri. This hill station is also an ornithologist’s dream come true as the place boasts of 25% of the species of birds found in India.
3.      Uttaranchal: There are just so many beautiful places to cover over here that one cannot mention a particular place.  Nainital, Auli, Mussorie, Corbett, Rishikesh, Kausani, Ranikhet, Almora, Kanatal etc. The entire of Uttarakhand is a visual delight to every visitor.
4.      Manali: This has been a classic favorite for people across all generations and yet, this place fails to lose its appeal. Though Delhi and including Shimla, Kullu etc makes the whole Himachal scenic, Manali is a special charmer. Places of interest include Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Vashishth Kund, and the famous Hirimba Temple among others.
5.      Lakshadweep: Not leaving out the beaches from our list, this pristine beauty can give many an international location a run for their money. It is clean and a plastic free union territory and the unspoiled beauty of beaches like Minicoy, Kavaratti, Kalpeni, and Agatti will surely capture your hearts.
To know about more honeymoon locations in India, for all seasons, write to us at: apoorv@bollywoodshaadis.com or nandita@bollywoodshaadis.com

Monday, August 5, 2013

Importance of Madhubani Paintings in Bihari Weddings

It was the first time that I saw the Madhubani painting at the wedding of a friend of mine, and became a fan of the painting style. A Madhubani painting forms an integral part of weddings in Bihar, particularly North Bihar.

For weddings, the females of the families paint different areas of the house, including the wedding hall. The
A Wedding Procession
paintings depict a variety of religious stories and scenes, and represent Hindu deities. A painting called "Kohbar" is drawn which is a main attraction of the wedding and this depicts bride and groom performing different rituals of wedding. Ram Sita wedding is an important theme of the Madhubani paintings, which is also considered very auspicious.

Symbolism in Madhubani Paintings

The paintings make extensive use of animals, gods, and Bihari brides and grooms. Every depiction in the painting keeps an important symbolic meaning, which make the paintings more interesting to understand. The commonly used animals are fishes, serpentine's, peacocks, turtles, etc.  The fishes depict good luck, fertility and procreation, turtles define stability of the married life, peacocks symbolize eternal love, and serpentine's are denoted as divine protectors from evil eyes.
Ram Sita Wedding

Madhubani Painting Themes

A Madhubani painting is based on the Hindu Gods and Goddesses, which are supported by beautiful and Bihari wedding. Other attributes are borders of double lines, floral patterns, abstract paintings, deities in the form of abstract art, bold use of bright colors, and many more. The human faces are defined with big eyes, pouting lips, and pointed nose.
traditional geometrical patterns, and are the essential components of a

The main attraction of the Madhubani paintings is the use of natural and organic colors. To give an ethnic and rustic look, the paper is still coated with a thin layer of cow dung and then it is painted with the bright colors.

Author:

Rashmi Karan