Harshita

India is bestowed with some of the most splendid beaches. Isn’t it amazing to watch the waves hit the shore from a distance? Isn’t it as amazing to get playful at the sea with your friends?  How romantic does it feel to take a walk by the beach side with your beloved? And being here makes it even easier to get access to some of best experiences at the beach. Let’s take a look at the top five virgin beaches in India.

Radhanagar Beach, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

This beach can be found at Havelock in Andaman and Nicobar. Touted as one of the best beaches in the continent, Radhangar Beach or Beach No. 7 will leave you enchanted with its untouched beauty and clear waters. With such an amazing view and feel to offer, it comes as no surprise that it is an ideal place for the honeymooners.

Agatti Beach, Lakshadweep

A part of the unexplored and very beautiful Lakshadweep, Agatti Beach makes for a perfect peaceful romantic holiday. May to September happens to be the best time to visit this splendid locale. Spend some quiet evenings with your loved one or play with the waters with friends, the place offers the best to you.

Nagoa Beach, Diu

Yet another hidden gem of India, Nagaoa Beach located in the Daman and Diu islands that geographically lie in the western coast of India. The shoe shaped beach charms everyone with its playful sands and emerald waters. The best time to visit this beach is from April to October.

Serenity Beach, Pondicherry

The name does it all for this beach. It is a comparatively cleaner beach and the perfect place to soothe one’s nerves.  One may also indulge in fishing activities and taking a dip in the sea. Apart from that, simply sit by and watch the fishing boats and net get into action.

Shiroda Beach, Maharashtra

Your search for virgin beaches in Goa ends at Shiroda beach located some 4 hours away from the hip happening Goan beaches. One of the unknown beaches in India, Shiroda is located quite close to Goa at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. The beach comes with a pristine and calm ambience away from the hustle bustle of the Goan beaches.

The year is about to end and countdown to welcome the New Year is on. Festive season parties are calling for celebration and your wardrobe might need a revamp.  Wearing even the best traditional salwar kameez or anarkali can be mundane, and the trendiest contemporary western dress might not earn you any appreciation. Mixing them up, however, can make you stand apart from the crowd. Indo- western fusion outfits are simply the amalgamation of western outfits with Indian taste.

The best thing about this fusion is that it can never be monotonous. Combinations vary with each person’s preferences. Short kurtis, even ponchos are replacing the traditional knee length ones; jackets and kaftans are replacing dupattas. Same mix-up can be applied to lower garments. Salwars can be replaced with straight pants or palazzo, teaming with a long kurta. They neither look heavy in terms of work, nor too casual. The traditional saris and lehengas can also be given a contemporary western touch with halter and sphagetti strap blouse and tops.

Many fusions have already become a rage, sample the Indian styled gowns. Adding a dupatta in the free flowing gown is the best substitute for heavy anarkalis to wear at big family events. Carrying them in parties is simple and efficient. There is no restriction, what so ever be the body type. Always remember the occasion, and then choose the combination that suits you best and accessories accordingly.  

Handling a clutch is always better than taking care of a hand bag in parties if you have petite frame. To compliment your dress, fusion jewelleries are also available, with a touch of elegance in the traditional design.

Even Bollywood celebrities have been posing in such outfits at international events. Sonam Kapoor turned heads at Cannes film festival wearing a western styled sari.

Wonders can be done even by adding a traditional element of Indian clothing in the western garments, like phulkari embroidery or rajasthani mirror work on jackets and gowns. Nargis Fakhri also wore a black gown with amazing mirror work.

This fashion vogue is not just a woman’s thing anymore. Men’s world too seems flooded with the same. Addition of sophistication of western suits in the ethnic sherwani is common now-a-days in fashion world. This experimental mix-up, when based upon the event, can produce an outfit to give you a look ranging from casual to royal.

Therefore, ditch the common wear and quickly hop into the world of indo-western fusion dresses, and create a statement of your own. Options of combinations are endless and the only limit is your imagination. Explore your fashion quotient this New Year with indo-western fusion dresses and accessories. Go even crazy with experiments, if you feel like, but don’t leave your comfort zone.

Have a happy new year.

Yet another trip to Goa. Planning to hit the same destinations for a zillionth time? Try something different this time. Here are 5 lesser known places around India’s very own Miami.

1. Mobor Beach Located in South Goa with the magnificent Leela in the backdrop, the Mobor beach is a sight to behold. Crystal clear water, white sand, great breeze and virtually no noisy crowds…. Mobor is the perfect way to unwind.

2. Harvalem Falls Safely hidden 7 kms away from Sanquelim, on the way to Ponda, Harvalem Falls is a great place for some monsoon fun. Don’t miss the rock cut Harvalem caves located closeby and the Rudreshwar Temple for a completely different perspective of the city.

3. Sanquelim Boat Festival If Goa is on your travel list this November, you’re in luck. The Boat Festival in Sanquelim is where you’ll find locals craft beautiful wooden and thermocol boats and set them adrift on the river followed by colourful festivities. A wonderful peek into the Goan life.

4. Dolphin Watching You’ve briefly seen them on nature channels. But have you actually SEEN them? If you thought watching tiny fishes an be soothing, wait till you see a real Dolphin dive into the water a few feet away. on Dolphin watching tours are a popular activity in various parts of the Mandovi River and places surrounding Fort Aguada. 

5. Saturday Night Bazaar Assuming your trip includes a weekend, the Night Bazaar at Arpora lets you unleash the shopaholic within you without going broke. A myriad of artificial jewellery, tshirts, hippie paraphernalia, a mind blowing spread of Indian and international cuisine and a lot of music… all in one place!

“Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older than even legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” –Mark Twain

Varanasi is a city in which culture, religion and fashion have evolved over centuries. It is a city where religion is fashion and fashion is religion. Earlier known as Benaras, the city is now known as Varanasi. The Marathas, Mughals and the various other empires that ruled the city have left their imprints on the culture of the city. Known as the spiritual capital of India, it is the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism. Guru Nanak Dev visited Varanasi during Shivratri in 1507, a trip that played a large role in the founding of Sikhism. Emperor Akbar even built temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu during his reign.

Pic credits: Pinterest

No other city has had the privilege of having such a diverse range of influences and that is what makes Varanasi truly unique. Legend has it that Varanasi was the site of a great argument between Brahma and Vishnu. They referred to the Vedas to decide who is greater and discover to their dismay that it was Shiva, the destroyer who was supreme. One thing which even the gods would have definitely agreed upon is that the “Banarasi sari” holds a special place in the hearts and wardrobes of an Indian woman.

Pic credits: Pinterest

A favourite for Indian brides, the Banarasi sari is truly a piece of art. It comes from different varieties like pure silk(katan), organza(kora), zari and silk, georgette, shattir, net, cotton, silver work, jaamdani etc. The patterns woven on the saris have a striking resemblance to Mughal designs as the craftsmen migrated to Varanasi from Persia during Mughal times. Just like every masterpiece, a lot of effort is required to produce a single piece of Banarasi sari making it worthy of being worn by a mighty woman. Luxurious and elegant, the Banarasi sari makes a woman feel not only feminine but also like a queen.

Pic Credits: Pinterest

Just like all good things in life, China has succeeded in making cheaper versions of the Banarasi sari. An experienced person may be able to differentiate just by the feel of the cloth. If you are not one, you could just pull its other side up and check for floats between the grids of warps and wefts on the sari. Only a hand woven Banarasi sari boasts of such brilliant technique. So go out there, look for your original Banarasi sari and feel like a queen!

- Rishikesh Agarwal