A Boost for Tourism in North East

The eight North Eastern states have one thing in common: breathtaking beauty. Amazing, in fact, is a word too less said. Tucked away amidst foreign nations, this part of India has a specially designed security system in place – a system so strict that even Indian nationals cannot enter most of North East without permits. Obtaining tourist permits is no easy task either; providing shrewd tourist companies an excuse to charge incredible fees for just an entry permit, that too for pre-determined sizes of groups and limited duration of stay. Add a guide to your team, and your tour budget shall sky rocket instantly. Thankfully, not any more.

As a step to boost tourism to North Eastern States, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has relaxed the need of a permit to visit Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland since January 01, 2011 for all Indian nationals and foreigners, except those of Pakistani and Chinese origin. However, all foreigners visiting these states are required to register themselves with Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the destination district within 24 hours of their arrival. This relief has been enforced for an initial trial period of one year only.

Need for a permit had been waived for Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim previously. Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh, being located along sensitive inter-country borders, are now the only states left in the north-east where foreigners are required to take prior permission before arrival.

This effort is envisaged to bring about a paradigm shift in the economy of this region banking mainly on tourism, especially from residents of other countries, especially Japan. This would also curb unsocial activities such as political insurgencies and bring about welfare for the local people, including tribals. The market for indigenous craft and cottage industries would widen up immensely.

The paradise carries a sobriquet of Eight Sisters which includes the famous eight states – Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram,Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh

As the limelight slides on the North Eastern states, it opens up a myriad of opportunities. Cultural tourism, tribe visits, festivals and wildlife tourism could showcase the mystery held back by rich history and culture, excitement of wildlife and beauty of nature to the visitor.

The list of places to visit is endless, in capital letters and to the tee. There are a number of religious centres, temples and monasteries, cottage industries, parks and lakes.Kaziranga National Park is also a major attraction. There is no particular tourist season; and the beauty of nature has distinct dimensions of its own round the year.

So what are you thinking of? Plan your visit to this region right away!! You might be wondering where to put up during your stay. We (The Other Home) offer you a comfortable accommodation in Khonoma Homestay in Kohima, Nagaland. You can easily organize various short trips to the rest of the region from here.

Swagatam to the North East..

If you want to be notified next time, subscribe to the RSS feed or say hello via Twitter @theotherhome. You can plan your dream holiday with us, visit The Other Home.

Homestays (Bed & Breakfast) are performing better than Hotels in Delhi

According to recent Annual Travelers Choice Survey 2011 conducted by Trip Advisor, Travellers have found hotels in Delhi to be the dirtiest in India. It is found that three out of eight dirtiest hotels in India are located in Delhi. The company compiles a list of ‘dirty’ hotels and ‘most  recommended’ hotels every year based on traveller reviews and follows it up with staff visits and videos to verify claims made by visitors. 

Currently, around 3 million visit the company’s website and post their independent review on the website. Of the top eight dirty hotels, three were in Delhi, two in Maharashtra and one each in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

Homestays – Bed & Breakfast

On the other hand, travellers gave thumps up to Bed & Breakfast (B&B) in Delhi. As per the survey, 5 out of top 10 best B&B are in Delhi. Interestingly, top One of the B&B property – Saubhag Bed and Breakfast, also found places in top 10 B&B in the world. Of the top 10 best B&B in India, five were in Delhi, four in Kerala and one in Rajasthan. Interestingly, there is no B&B featured in top 10 from Himachal Pradesh. However, the scheme, launched in 2008, has received a very good response from both property owners and travellers.

It is found that travellers are open to new ideas these days and preferring non-hotel properties like vacation home, holiday home and Homestay (bed & breakfast) than to traditional hotels. The key advantages of big savings on nightly rates, bigger room space, better amenities & privacy and chance to observe the local culture.

The Other Home is setup with objectives to offer with standardized booking and cancellation policies. It is an India-focused booking platform for non-hotel properties like vacation rental, homestay and outdoor adventure. The company offers a platform to property owners to market their assets and attract clients.

Some of the Homestays / Bed & Breakfast registered with The Other Home in Delhi are The Estate,Roshan Homestays, Akanksha Home and Incredible India Inn Home Stay. Hope to see you there soon!!

If you want to be notified next time, subscribe to the RSS feed or say hello via Twitter @theotherhome. You can plan your dream holiday with us, visit The Other Home.

Own a Dream Vacation Home in Himachal Pradesh

Urban life is becoming hectic, draining off valuable time spent with our family. We always desire to move away from the clutter of urban life and spend some time, even it be just a weekend, in a cool climate and peaceful environment, that too in our own house? This sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Moreover, after owning a house in the city and paying up all the expenses, people can only fantasize buying a piece of land or having a home in natural surroundings.Owning a property is a suitable way to invest some money and also build something that one could use after retirement. Some people have already started investing in second and third homes, like the rest of the world. But with rising land prices in the city and urban areas, the focus has shifted to hilly states, where the land prices are comparatively lower.

In North India, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Rajasthan are popular destinations. The investors are mostly in the 30-45 age group and the most sought out in the North are Mussorie, Nainital, Bhimtal, Shimla, Bharatpur, Landour & Kasauni.

Till sometime back, an outsider (people who don’t have a Himachal domicile) could not purchase a land or property in the state as per Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972 (Section 118).

Things have changed over the period of time. Himachal Government has recently announced a new scheme to acquire lands for establishment of Housing Colonies. The dream of owning property in Himachal has become more realistic. The state government has now allowed the purchase of land by outsiders (non-Himachali). Himachal Pradesh Housing & Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) is conducting demand survey of different areas in seven districts for the purpose of housing development in the state. HIMUDA has invited application from all citizens of India to own residential houses/plots/flats in proposed housing colonies to be constructed under partial self financing scheme. If the response for a particular area is adequate, the government will take necessary steps for acquisition of land. It plans to complete the formalities in six months.

After the finalization and approval of the scheme, people can buy, own and resell property in Himachal Pradesh. This is a dream come true for nature lovers, who always wanted to own a cottage in the salubrious environment of mountains. In case sufficient demand is not received for a particular location, the government may modify or abandon that  scheme. You can download the scheme documents from the website of Himachal Pradesh Housing & Urban Development Authority. Now that it is easier to own house in Himachal Pradesh, we may still be worried about regular maintenance expenses and security. It is difficult to spend more than a few weeks a year in the second home or in mountains away from work. However, it is important to maintain the property for an extended period of time and employ a full time caretaker who is resident at the property. All this will put burden on the pocket. However, there is a significant income generation opportunity. A convenient option to address this dilemma is to convert the second home in Himachal as a vacation rental or homestay.

Lastly, promoting a vacation home or homestay requires significant time, money and energy for online and offline promotion, including creation of a website and building network with people by word of mouth or through their social circle. We offer a solution for your concerns. You can register your property with  The Other Home at our website free of cost. The company will market your property and attract domestic & international travelers. You can list your property, control the inventory and manage other details.

The Other Home, an India-focused vacation rental, homestay and outdoor adventure properties consolidator, offers a platform to property owners to market their assets and attract clients. Some of the vacation homes and homestays registered with The Other Home in Himachal Pradesh are Treetops Cottage, Babavalley Farm, Aapo Aap Home Stay and Dwarika Residency Shelapani.

For more latest update, please see the presentation slideshare.net/theotherhome/himuda-demand-survey-own-a-vacation-home-in-himachal-pradesh-10041225

Now, you can download the list of applicants (Sorted by First Alphabet) of HIMUDA Demand Survey:

List 1: A

List 2: B – F

List 3: G – N

List 4: O – R

List 5: S – T

List 6: U – Z

Nahan: A Quiet Getaway in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is known to be a hub of getaways in the hills, with well known tourist centres such as Shimla, Kausauli, Manali, Palampur spread across it. In fact, a large chunk of the economy of the state is based on its tourism. But snuggled cosily among the hills, there are small towns which are not only picturesque, but are enriched with natural beauty and historical mystic.

One such town is Nahan, a locality sparsely populated by people, and hardly known to the outer world. Situated at the Southern tip of Himachal Pradesh, Nahan is off the touristy trail. Located at an altitude of 932 m from mean sea level (MSL), the town will grip your awe with its cleanliness. It is strategically located near Rani Tal, Giri Nagar, Renuka, Ponta Sahib, Suketi Fossil Park, Chaugan, Bikram Bagh, etc. The various tourist spots in Nahan are spread around the core town and offer lovely scenic views.

The city is believed to be founded in 1621 by Raja Karan Praksh in 1621. It is believed the city takes it name from Nahar (The Lion) which accompanied a saint who once lived there.

The picturesque location on an isolated ridge in the Shivalik range makes it a beautiful hill station overlooking lush green valley and meadows. Pleasant climate, attractive walkways and peaceful serene atmosphere is a major attraction for tourists coming to Nahan. The dense foliage is home to a variety of birds and animals that still can be seen in their natural habitat. The forest routes filled with lush greenery adds to the calm nature of the place. Nahan is a small town in the centre of lush green mountains nearby. Abundant green woodlands, eminent mountain ranges, absolutely carved river valleys make Nahan a perfect place to holiday for nature and adventure lovers.

Apart from natural scenic locations, Nahan is known for many ancient temples and places of pilgrimage.

Interested to know more? We invite you to check out this spot first hand. Visit Nestling Meadows, a beautiful camping site spread over 10 acres area of lush green surroundings, brought to you by The Other Home, just perfect for your needs. It is located on the outskirts, about 9 kms from Jamta. Jamta is located about 19 km to the north of Nahan on the Nahan-Dadahu motorable road. Nestled between the hills and the jungle, this property is an absolute beauty. Sitting outdoor they can relax and enjoy the serenity of nature. For those in mood for more activity there are nature walks and hikes that will also teach you a lot more about the region. Daily tours to various other tourist attractions can also be organized.

Another option for a cosy homestay in a villa is offered in Babavalley Farm, located beside the Markandey River near Nahan district. You may also cook your own food there, if you do not wish to avail of the cook facility. Relax in the lawn or fish in a cosy corner by the pond, do not let the madding crowd get hold of you!!!

Lest you are in the adventurous mode, we offer a plethora of exciting packages at Nestling Meadows, located beside the Markandey River near Nahan district. The various outdoor activities on the palette include swimming, Tarzan  Swing, River Crossing, Balancing Beam, Climbing Wall, Ramp, Archery and Darting. The major attraction is staying in a tent under the open sky, so less polluted.

The weather in Nahan is always pleasant, ranging between 6-38⁰C. Guests can enjoy their vacation throughout the year. However, the best season to visit is between October – April.

Hope to see you there soon!!

If you want to be notified next time, subscribe to the RSS feed or say hello via Twitter @theotherhome. You can plan your dream holiday with us, visit The Other Home.

Long weekends to look forward to in 2011

January has started. Not even a fortnight has passed since New Year’s; our moods are still festive. Winter in India is in its peak. Its snowing in the hills, freezing in rest of North and Central India, quite cool in Bangalore and a pleasant warm weather in the coastal areas around Mumbai and Chennai. With the sun snuggling in his own blanket of clouds, one looks forward to the thinnest of opportunities to take a break. What can be better than a weekend getaway, completely cut off from the ringing cell phone, beeping inbox, chaotic traffic and stress of daily routine life.

The calendar of 2011 has a lot of long weekends to plan for. Albeit one may need to take a day or two off from work, but when a two day week end becomes four or five days at a stretch, would you complain? You can spend it the way you like: go off on a holiday to rejuvenate yourself, or charge your batteries by taking rest at home.  The only thing that is required is planning and organization of related matters such as work loads, social commitments, etc.

In the first month itself, Republic Day, January 26^th is a Wednesday. You can convert a mid-week break into a long weekend by taking either Monday and Tuesday (24^th and 25^th) or Thursday and Friday (27^thand 28^th) off to have a 5-day break which can be utilized for a great holiday.

Opportunity of another 5-day getaway would knock at your doors around February 16^th, Id-E-Milad, which is also a Wednesday.

If you haven’t had enough, another holiday on a Wednesday is waiting for you on March 5^th, Maha Shivratri and all you need to do is to select which two days to take leave on.

The holiday mood gets a new boost in April with the very first day being an off day on account of Bank Closing. As if to compensate for those who have to work on April 1^st, Gudi Padwa is on April 4^th, the next Monday. Look at your calendar and the figures in red in the following week are surely going to sweep you of your feet. Ram Navami is on April 12^th, Tuesday. 14^this Ambedakar Jayanti. 16^th, another Saturday, is Mahavir Jayanti. Just plug in the gaps, and your capillaries with a runaway holiday. And the fun is not over yet. April 22^nd, Good Friday is strategically at the right place in a week, right after which you have a two day weekend coming up. So, what about a 22^nd – 24^thtrip somewhere nearby?

Take a leave on May 16^th and you have a 4-day slot at your disposal, as its Buddha Purnima on 17^th.

After two months of serious attempts to get back to the working mode, Independence Day, August 15^thliberates you all the more as it is a Monday. And if your organization grants you leave on Parsi New Year, the next Friday, August 19^th provides another lucrative opportunity of a three day blast. If you have somehow managed to survive through these tempting opportunities so far, this time is correct for you to club both these “long weekends” and go on a “super long holiday”.  The month ends on Ramzan, a Wednesday. But September 1^st, a Thursday, is also a holiday on account of Ganesh Chaturthi. If you could take an off day on Friday the 2^nd, added with the following weekend, you have a 5-day break.

When you may have finally pressed the accelerator to work, October 6^th, Dusshera comes on a Thursday, tempting you to indulge in some relaxation by taking an off day on Friday, the 7^th. Festivities linger in the air till Diwali, on 26^th and 27^th, which are on Wednesday and Thursday. Plan for two days ahead and one day after Diwali and you have 9 days at a stretch, ideal for a long vacation anywhere in the world.

Still not had enough? In the very next week, Bakri Id is on a Monday, November 7^th. 10^th is Guru Nanak Jayanti. I can sense your eyebrows rising even while you read this. Yes, take the intermediate two days off and perhaps the Friday as well, and you can be anywhere as far as your wildest imagination can take you to.

December 25^th to January 1^st is a week to enjoy. But, unfortunately, both these days are Sundays. But compensation is paid to you in advance in the form of Muharram, on December 6^th, a Tuesday. If you a leave on take the preceding Monday, it is ideal for gearing up to the festivities of welcoming 2012 in our lives.

While so many opportunities beckon you, your mind must be hovering over what to do, where to go, relax and enjoy, get value for money and all related aspects. We offer you a very effective solution to all your needs. You can search adventure properties on The Other Home Just browse the site, and plan out your stay. The Other Home, an India-focused vacation rental, homestays and outdoor adventure properties consolidator, offers a number of options to travelers to experience rural life in India like Devpur Homestay in Kutch, Gujarat and Khonoma Homestay in Kohima, Nagaland. The beautiful  Pench Jungle Camp in Madhya Pradesh awaits you.

To conclude, we can say that rural tourism will definitely help building the country’s brand image to a great extent and it is already helping it. In 2009, Punjab and Haryana government launched a farmstay scheme to promote rural and farm tourism. Travelers can plan their stay at a beautiful organic farm at Deep Roots Retreat or at other farm stay and home stay properties of The Other Home.

May all of you who read this have a great time in 2011……Amen.

If you want to be notified next time, subscribe to the RSS feed or say hello via Twitter @theotherhome. You can plan your dream holiday with us, visit The Other Home.

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Handicrafts of Eastern India

Art floats in the air of East India. Although simple forms derived out of natural resources define handicrafts of this region, the beauty and variety are way beyond the capacity of words to describe. Most forms are also deeply inter-related with the history and religious beliefs and practices of the places.

Patta Chitra from Orissa has evolved from the age old practice of communication written on palm leaves. Also to maintain secrecy, pictorial representations were often used. At present, mythological representations are popular.

The fantastic pictorial conceptions, the idiosyncratic conventions, the extra-ordinary system of line formations and vibrant use of colors make this art form stand by itself. It is assumed that the uniqueness of this school of painting was derived from some primitive forms of aboriginal art from Orissa and its neighboring states.

A similar painting form is seen in West Bengal, called “Pata” or “Patua”, painted on cloth or handmade paper. They are unmounted panels sewn together to depict a story, which may be mythological, or related to natural calamities, or any other topic, which flows through vertical divisions of the individual panels. The sewn pieces are then rolled into a long scroll which varies from four to fifty feet. It would be unfair not to mention Madhubani paintings of Bihar in this flow. The source of colours is very innovative: black is derived from soot and cowdung, yellow from turmeric, blue from indigo, white from rice powder, etc.

Nandalal Bose and Jamini Roy are two famous painters from West Bengal who brought in a revolution in painting styles. Rebellions to break free from conventional practices have been seen in works of R. N. Tagore, who was also a nobel laureate for literature and a very talented poet and story teller. Shantiniketan is an institute set up by this great personality where his art forms and styles, his music and teachings are imparted.

Woodcrafts is unique in West Bengal, as is handloom. “Tnat”, a form of weaving cloth from cotton threads is very popular here. Also Baluchari silk with bold motifs and bright colours is famous from this state. Knatha, a form of fine stitches to form beautiful designs, Batik, a form of creating designs through wax, Sambalpuri sarees and Kotki prints from Bengal and Orissa are in high demand all over the country.

Paper pulp and wooden masks are marks of the tradition of Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand. Fierce mask of Jharkhand, Chhou mask of Purulia, painted wood masks from Orissa, “papier-mache” masks from Bihar are well known. Toy making is also a popular art, mostly used as show pieces, as they are finely crafted and beautiful. Terracotta from Bengal, Silverware from Orissa, Carpets and Lacquer work from Bihar and Woodwork from the dense woods of Jharkhand  are signatures of these states.

Responsible Tourism is tourism that has as little impact on the local environment and culture as possible, while being of benefit to the local people. An important step in responsible tourism, leading towards sustainability, is using local produce and eating local food. You can learn more about North-East India Craft and enjoy your stay at homestay property in North-east India – Khonoma Homestay in Kohima, Nagaland.

If you want to be notified next time, subscribe to the RSS feed or say hello via Twitter @theotherhome. You can plan your dream holiday with us, visit The Other Home.

Discover the taste of India: North East Indian Food

The north eastern part of India is perhaps the most under estimated region when it comes to food. In reality, the seven sisters, Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and Manipur, along with Sikkim, have a wide assortment of culinary styles influenced greatly by topography, climate, geographic location, and neighbouring regions.

The items are comparatively less spicy than the other parts of the country, but no less tasty. Food is prepared with minimum oil or ghee. Smoked and boiled preparations are also in vogue. Dishes prepared with duck meat, bamboo shoots etc are very much popular in North-East Zone. Smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages are common in both men and women in the hilly states.

Tripura is a state that enjoys close proximity to the Bay of Bengal and shares boundaries with Bangladesh. The resident community is mostly Bengali and panache of cooking styles from East India and Bangladesh as well as their love for fish can be found in Tripura, especially Agartala. The dialect of Tripura and Assam is also Bengali, with some minor variations. Rice is the staple food in the North East, and is almost part of every meal. The home made sweets made out of rice are a specialty of Assam. The Assamese also consume a huge variety of rice-based breakfast cereals with milk or yoghurt or thick cream­. Normally jaggery or sugar is added used. Quite contrary to the preference for non vegetarian food in the North East, vegetarian delicacies are found abundantly in Assam.

People from Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland are hard core non vegetarians, and love fish and meat. The people love tea, called “Zu”. Iromba, an eclectic combination of fish, vegetables and fermented bamboo shoots is popular. Also famous is Kabok, a traditional speciality from Manipur, made of fried rice with a world of vegetables added in.

Chinese influence can be seen in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. In fact, Shillong is often referred to as the “Mecca of Chinese Food”. The meat preference is tilted in favour of pork. Jadoh – a spicy dish of rice and pork is eaten almost any time. Besides, the local pork delicacies cooked Khasi-style. Some popular drinks made out of either rice or millet are Kyat, Apong, and Tchang. Sikkim also encases Tibetan food preferences. Momos, Thukpas, Ningro with Churpi, Gundruk, Phagshapa, Sael Roti are popular in Sikkim. Beef consumption is also common among the local people.

If you want to be notified next time, subscribe to the RSS feed or say hello via Twitter @theotherhome. You can plan your dream holiday with us, visit The Other Home.

Discover Taste of India: West Indian Food

Talk about West India and few images clicks in one’s mind instaneously. And the diversityof these fleeting impressions are worthy of awe. Maharashtra and Vada-pao, Bhelpuri at Chowpatti. Gujarat with its amazing milk products and preparations with a sweet touch. The very spicy Rajasthani cuisine offering Daal-Baati-Churma and Besan ki gatte ki sabzi . The tasty and sea food dominated preparations from Goa, Daman and Diu.

Western India is a composition of landforms: you will find mountain ranges, coastal plains and arid deserts. Variations in topography has brought about different cuisines which adapts to the landscape and geographical constraints.

Rice is the staple food, followed closely by wheat, jowar and bajra. In the coastal states such as Maharashtra and Goa, sea food is available in abundance with obvious Parsi and Portugese influence. Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, has seen the influx of migrants from all corners of India and has imbibed the variety of all regions. The night life of Mumbai with fast food joints open till wee hours is characteristic of this city.

On the contrast, Gujarat is an essentially vegetarian state, although Parsi styles have been adopted in this state as well. As observed in a popular movie from Bollywood, although Gujaratis are sweet people, their food sounds like missiles: Dhokla, Khandwa, Fafra, Thepla, Undio, etc.  The milk products of Gujarat and Rajasthan, curds and icecreams, shrikhands, ghees, cheese, butter milk are famous and coveted all over the country.

If you want to be notified next time, subscribe to the RSS feed or say hello via Twitter @theotherhome. You can plan your dream holiday with us, visit The Other Home.