Gleaming diyas, glittering lamps, colorful rangoli, succulent sweets, firecrackers and likes – these all make a composite picture of extravagant Diwali celebration in urban India. But, you will find absolutely different pictures of the festival in the rural backwaters of the country where tribal communities live. Indian Eagle explores the rural interiors of India to collect the striking glimpses of Diwali celebration by the tribal people whose multi-ethnic identity and culture are distinctly defined in contrast to the harmony of various cultures in a cosmopolitan society. Lets see how tribal India celebrates the Festival of Lights…

Diwali celebration is synonymous with simplicity for the tribal communities of Jharkhand. They celebrate the festival of lights, known as “Sohrai”, in a more realistic way associated with the means of sustenance in daily life. This festive occasion marks the harvest of rice, and the worship of cattle is part of the celebration in the tribal villages of the state. Harvest and cattle are the main sources of livelihood for them. The women in countryside decorate the mud walls of their houses (mainly huts) with art murals, which is unique to their culture. Also, domestic animals are adorned for the celebration.

The way of Diwali celebration in the state of Odisha is different from the ways the other states of India celebrate the festival in. The tribal folks of Odisha, on the occasion of Diwali, seek the blessings of their ancestors who are believed to be living somewhere in the heaven after the demise of their mortal bodies on earth. The ritualistic manner of worshiping ancestors is unique to their cultural heritage. “Kaunria Kathi” is one of the rituals that they perform during the festivity. As per the ritual, they burn jute stems to create fire as a signal to summon the ancestors and request for their blessings.

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The people of the Sindhi community in the states of India have developed their own way of Diwali celebration, which is unique to their cultural identity in the social fabric of the country. This regional community of India refers to the celebration of Diwali as “Diyari”. Like most of the other communities, they worship Goddess Lakshmi. They clean silver and gold coins using raw milk during the worship. Once the puja is over, they take gold or silver coins and tap the coins lightly against their teeth while chanting “Lakshmi aayi, danat vaai” (When Lakshmi arrives, poverty departs).

The way the tribal communities in Narmada and Baruch districts of Gujarat celebrate defines their traditions in contrast to the common socio-cultural milieu of the country. The tribal people of these two provinces in Gujarat celebrate the festival of lights as a harbinger of good health. It is a 15-day long festivity for them. Unlike firing of crackers in cities and towns, the burning of herbal wood of different types accompanies the celebration for the tribal folks. The smoke from the burning of herbal wood is believed to keep them healthy. This traditional custom also stands for the philosophy, that is, “hard work brings wealth, and good health is required for hard work.” They light a holy fire and march a procession to take the fire across the villages in a bid to prevent evils from intruding their habitats. They enjoy themselves over various folk dance forms on each of the 15 days of the celebration.

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The tribal habitants in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh are distinctly identified for their different way of Diwali celebration, known as Diyari. The festivity begins ceremoniously with the marriage of crop in fields with an idol of Lord Narayana. It is followed by the ritual of filling households with food grain. The cattle owners in the tribal community of Bastar are honored with liquor on the first day of the celebration. They offer garlands, paddy and khichdi, a kind of porridge with local flavor, to the shepherds. They perform Gotton puja, another integral part of the festivity, to seek divine blessings for the good health and protection of their cattle. The cattle are adorned with garlands, the drums are beaten, and the crop is worshiped as image of Goddess Lakshmi during the 3-day long Diwali celebration.

Thakar is one of the scheduled tribes inhabiting the forest areas of Maharashtra. Their cultural heritage includes various folk dance forms and songs. The way they celebrate Diwali festival stands for their identity in distinction from that of the other tribes in India. They make lamps from the dried parts of a fruit called chibra, and use the stands made from cow-dung to place lamps on. They worship the grain, stored in a cane basket, as the image of Goddess Lakshmi, on the festive day. On this occasion, they perform a folk dance in rhythm with the beats of dhols.

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The Missile Man of India is no more amidst us. We commemorated his death anniversary on July 27 this year. However, his presence is felt all over the nation, even in remote rural backwaters, like an invisible ray of hope, inspiration and optimism. That is what three school students from the Maoist hotbeds in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh proved by winning the prestigious APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award 2016.

13-year-old Roshan Sori is a student of Class 6 and son of a poor farmer from a remote village in the district of Sukma, a region affected by Maoist violence in Chhattisgarh. His idea of a software-based solution for instantaneous voting earned him the APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award this year. According to this young Indian, electronic voting machines (EVMs) can be equipped with software which will instantly transmit data to the control room of the election commission as soon as voters press the button.

Picture Credit: Hindustan Times

In Chhattisgarh, Maoist rebels often block the roads, stop vehicles and loot electronic voting machines (EVMs) during elections, thereby causing long delays in the poll process. Consequently, it leads to re-polling and adds to the electoral overheads of Indian government. 13-year-old Roshan hit upon the idea on reading the reporting of such incidents in newspapers.

Roshan Sori’s idea of software-based voting, if developed into a concrete solution, will be a most feasible alternative to the looting of electronic voting machines. In addition, it will give respite to thousands of people of different age-groups, who travel long distances from far-off places to cast their votes. These poor people who often can’t afford even public transport are the worst victims in the event of EVM looting. They are required to walk in to the voting centers and cast their votes again during re-polling.

Indu Manikpuri from the district of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh is among the 28 young Indian winners of APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award 2016. A student of Class 7, she came up with a solution to the lack of maintenance for toilets built across rural India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s project Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign).

The septic tanks of those toilets overflow with human waste as there is no proper, timely maintenance. Villagers drop potatoes into the tanks to prevent overflowing of human excreta. Potato starch leads to decomposition of human waste by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, which in turn prevents overflowing of human waste. But this is a temporary process. It works for only a month or two. It is a most common problem in the villages of India. If Indu Manikpuri’s idea is implemented, it would raise an alarm to alert villagers whenever toilet tanks are full.

Himanshu Rateria is the third winner of APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award 2016 from Chhattisgarh. He ideated an innovative medical alarm on TV for senior citizens.

The APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award is an annual national competition conducted by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) of India. It seeks to fire up and harness the creativity, thinking ability, innovative spirit of young Indians up to age of 17 years or Class 12. They are invited to participate in the competition by sharing their original ideas and innovative solutions. The winners are announced on October 15, the birthday of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, every year and awarded by the President of India. the winning ideas and innovations are converted into projects for development.

The post This 13-year-old Boy, a Poor Indian Farmer’s Son, Wins APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award 2016 for Innovation appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Chhattisgarh is famous for tribal tourism in India. Blessed with diverse geography and natural beauty, the state boasts of a great tourism map crisscrossed by prehistoric caves, scenic waterfalls, calm lakes, rich wildlife, national parks, and rural cultural heritage. This Indian state is a must visit for nature lovers and wildlife photographers. The tourist attractions of Chhattisgarh include some of the best waterfalls in India. This post by Indian Eagle is all about the stunningly beautiful waterfalls of Chhattisgarh.

Chitrakoot Waterfalls

The king of waterfalls in Chhattisgarh, Chitrakoot Waterfall is formed by the Indravati River, a tributary of the Narmada River, in the Vindhya Ranges. The place is a 45km drive from Jagdalpur, a popular and well-connected city in the state of Chhattisgarh. Different from the other waterfalls, the Chitrakoot Fall is more impressive in width than in height. The breadth varies with the gush of water. It widens up to 150 meters with the increasing water flow during monsoons, making the waterfall the widest in India. That is why the Chitrakoot Fall is called the Niagara Falls of India. The monsoon is the best time to experience the wild beauty of Chitrakoot Waterfalls.

The sightseeing around the waterfall is ideal for hangout, picnicking, photography, and meditation. There are several yoga and meditation centers in the area near the fall. The magnificent beauty of the Chitrakoot Fall appeals to the photographer in most of the visitors. A visit to this place is like an escape to ecstasy in the world of Mother Nature. The color of the water turns a shade of brown in the monsoon as the water carries a huge amount of silt. But, it is as clear as crystals in summer. There are resorts and camping sites on the banks of the Indravati River. Besides being the apex of tourism in Chhattisgarh, the place has immense religious significance.

Tirathgarh Waterfalls

One of the most scenic waterfalls in India, Tirathgarh Waterfalls is located in the Kanger Valley National Park. The flowing water divides into multiple falls which make a marvelous vista. The landscape around the waterfall is dotted with forests adding an aura of lush greenness to the sight. There is a small temple of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati opposite the falls attributing religious importance to the place. The Tirathgarh Falls is 300 feet in height.

Amrit Dhara Falls

Situated on the Hasdo River in the Koriya District of Chhattisgarh, Amrit Dhara Falls is a beautiful manifestation of nature to behold in surprise. It is a cascade falling down from a great height. The ambience around the Amrit Dhara Falls is misty and pleasant. There is a Shiva Temple lending an attribute of a pilgrimage place to it. The fall is a short car drive from Manendragarh which is the nearest railway station.

Tamra Ghoomar Falls

One of the recently discovered waterfalls in Chhattisgarh, Tamra Ghoomar Falls is another beautiful tourist spot on the state tourism map. A short drive from Chitrakoot, the waterfall is the located in the solitude of nature. Monsoon is the best time to soak in the beauty of this stunning 100-ft waterfall, surrounded by green fields.

Chitradhara Waterfalls

Chitradhara Waterfalls is another name of natural beauty! Located on the way to Chitrakoot Falls, it is one of the most beautiful sightseeing spots in Chhattisgarh. With gushing waters cascading down, the Chitradhara Waterfall is a must-visit attraction for family tours in the state. Monsoon from July to October is the best season to hang around the fall.

IndianEagle.com is booking monsoon holiday trips to India at the guaranteed lowest airfare. Stay tuned to the blog for more interesting Indian monsoon travel articles and ideas.

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What makes India incredible? You might have found the answer in the diversity, beauty, heritage, culture, festivals, architecture and nature of India. Besides, there are many offbeat destinations where India is full of incredible wonders. Indian Eagle explores and lists the 10 best offbeat destinations that make India incredible.

Sanskrit: the ancient India in Karnataka

Sanskrit, once the language of learning, teaching, reading and communication for the elite and the erudite in ancient India, is alive at the few places like Mathur, a village on the Tunga River in Karnataka. The 21st century India might have forgotten Sanskrit in the times of globalization, but this South Indian village, Mathur, communicates in this language in day-to-day life. Gamaka art, a dying form of storytelling in music, is part of culture for the natives of Mathur.

Bhangarh: the haunted India in Rajasthan

If you are daring enough to penetrate the mystery shrouding the haunted forts in India, visit Bhangarh in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. Bhangarh is a haunted place of ruins which speak of its history of devastation. The haunted status of this part of Rajasthan is an attraction to tourists. Entry to Bhangarh is permitted in the daylight but restricted in the dark. One of the most haunted places in India; Bhangarh was desolated and devastated due to a curse on the natives, as the history goes.

Raipur: the place of rural Olympics

India has its own version of Olympic in the rural backwaters of Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh. The race of cattle including bullocks, donkeys, mules and dogs, a medium of recreation for the farmers of Kila in Raipur, is referred to as “Rural Olympics” in India. In the year 1933, it was initiated as an attempt to get the farmers of Kila and the neighboring villages together. “Rural Olympics” makes Kila one of the best offbeat destinations in India. It is held in February every year.

Rann of Kutch: the desolate land of wonders

Among the offbeat destinations in India, Rann of Kutch in Gujarat captures the imagination of explorers the world over. Harshest in summers but coolest in winters, it is a vast stretch of desolate land. With innumerable wonders to be explored demystifying the enigma, the Rann of Kutch provides shelter to several communities of refugees. It is also home to Asiatic wild asses in the saline desert with rocky grasslands and thorny shrubs. It has been conferred on the status of a sanctuary.

Shetpal: the land of snake worshipers

Image curtsy: week.manoramaonline.com

India is no more a land of snake charmers and snake worshippers. While India is venturing out to Mars and the moon, the people in a corner of the country have been keeping up with the age-old tradition of worshipping snakes. The place is Shetpal in the Sholapur district of Maharashtra. Each of the households in Shetpal has shelter for live Cobras. Surprised? To be precise, the villagers and Cobras live together at this offbeat destination in incredible India. What is more surprising is that no one has been reported to be bitten by snakes.

Vadi tribe: professional snake charmers

If you are curious about the snake-charming art and eager to meet snake charmers in India, visit Gujarat where the Vadi tribe, a community of professional snake charmers, lives. Their profession is the tradition that dates back to the 10th century. It is common to see their children sitting near poisonous snakes. What will take you aback is no sign of fear in them, even in the presence of deadly snakes. The children, at the very tender age of two, are trained on how to take snakes out of their habitats.

Karni Mata temple: the habitat of rats

Among the offbeat holy shrines of India is the Karni Mata Temple in Bikaner, Rajasthan. What makes it an offbeat destination is the habitation of thousands of rats. The rates are taken care of here. It is believed that the devotees who fortunately see white rates in the temple are blessed by the Goddess. Karnia Mata, the presiding deity in the temple, is an incarnation of goddess Durga. The temple, located in a small town Deshnok, is supposed to date back to the 14th century.

Shani Shignapur: the land of door-less houses

Do you ever keep your house unlocked from inside or outside? A big ‘No’. However, there is a village in India where the houses remain open throughout day and night. It is Shani Shignapur in Maharashtra. Not a single house in Shani Shignapur has doors. Even, there is no door frame. The belief that the villagers are blessed and safe from crimes makes Shani Shignapur an offbeat destination. Even, the United Commercial Bank (UCO) has its lockless branch in the village.

Roopkund Lake: the death spot in Himalayas

Roopkund Lake is one of the secluded, scariest and spookiest places in the Himalayan region of India. The surrounding area of the lake is inhospitable. Roopkund Lake has been notorious as “Skeleton Lake” since the discovery of hundreds of skeletons of corpses dating back to the 15th century. The death of so many people in the lake is still a mystery.

The wonder of magnet in Leh, Ladakh

Have you ever seen a vehicle wheeling up on a steel hill? Vehicles move up the Magnetic Hill in the Leh region of Ladakh. As high as 11,000 feet above sea, the Magnetic Hill pulls vehicles by means of its magnetic properties. Many tourists stop by this offbeat destination to experience the wonder that is an optical illusion.

IndianEagle.com offers the lowest airfare to India (in all seasons) which is as incredible as offbeat Indian destinations.

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