Kumbh Mela in Nasik, Maharashtra,India

 
Patna is the capital of the Bihar state in India. Patna has been in the center of Indian politics from the times of India’s War of Independence after India’s independence it has come up as a most populous city of eastern India after Kolkata. Patna is not mentioned in ancient scriptures like Ramayana and Mahabharat. It finds its first mention during the times of Mahaveer Jain and Gautam Buddha about 2500 years ago. Lord Gautam Budha had passed through this city during his last days on this earth. The past record of Patna is available from the year 490 BC. From then on the name Patna has been changed many times and has a record of an unbroken history. It was known as Pataligram, Palibothra, Pushpapura, Pataliputra, Kusumpur and Azimabad at different times. At different times in its 2500 years journey Patna was ruled by different dynasties, each of them significantly contributing to the city’s development.

Earlier rulers were of Haryanka Dynasty which was overthrown by Nanda Dynasty. Then the Maurya Dynasty took over the rule. Patliputra was the center of learning fine arts during Maurya period. During the British rule Patna was a center of International trade. It was named as the capital of Orissa in 1912. Later in 1935 a Separate Orissa state of Orissa was formed with its separate capital. Afterwards when Bihar state was formed Patna became its capital.

 

Mangalore is a prominent port city of the state of Karnataka, India. It is located between the Arabian Sea and Western Ghat. Mangalore gets its ancient references in several Hindu scriptures. According to the epic of Mahabharata the region was under the rule of Sahadeva, the youngest of Pandvas. During 3rd century BC the region was a part of Maurya dynasty under the Buddhist emperor, Ashoka. Then the region witnessed the rule of Kadamba dynasty from 2nd to 4th century CE. Thereafter the region came under the control of native Alupa rulers who ruled it from 567 CE to 1325 CE as feudatories of several dynasties like Rashtrakuta, Chalukyas of Badami, Chalukyas of Kalyani, Hoysalas, etc. Mangalore was the capital place of Alupa rulers and it was then known as Mangalapur. 

By the year the 1345 Vijayanagara dynasty had brought Mangalore and surrounding region under its control. Bangara kings ruled the region as the feudatories of Vijayanagara dynasty. After the arrival of Europeans the port city of Mangalore became an important trading center. Portuguese who came there first defeated Bangara kings and took the control of Mangalore. But they could not hold the region for long and had to lose it to Mysore kingdom under Hyder Ali. Later it was captured by the British East India Company only to lose it back to Tipu Sultan of Mysore. After the death of Tipu Sultan, Mangalore again came under the control of British rule.  Under the British rule Mangalore experienced stability and peace. Mangalore witnessed many development works during the rule of British. After the independence of India in 1947 Mangalore continued to be a part of Madras presidency until 1956 when State Reorganization Act incorporated the city into newly created state of Mysore which was renamed as Karnataka in 1973.

 Shekhawati Festival of State of Rajasthan is annually organized by the state tourism in association with district administrations of Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu. The festival is held every year on 10th and 11th of February in Shekhawati region. The region is famous for its frescoes and is fast emerging tourist destination in the state of Rajasthan, India. The festival is organized at number of places in Shekhawati region like Nawalgarh, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu etc. Shekhawati region is abundant with painted Havelis, beautifully structured mansions and patio. Tourists are seen exploring through horse riding the rural parts of the region and getting closer views of countryside and the people. Artists and craftsmen from every corner of Rajasthan use this festival as an opportunity to display their talent to the world.

The idea behind organizing the Shekhawati festival is to provide the tourist an occasion where they can have extensive views of Shekhawati region and its cultures.  One day tour is organized for the tourists on the occasion of the festival. It includes the jeep and camel Rajasthan safaris and farm visit. Tourists are seen enjoying the hospitality of the people of the region. Besides this there are many programs organized on the occasion of the festival. Rural games, Havelis competition, various cultural programs etc are seen enthralling the tourists who visit the festival in large number from across the country. 

Fairs & festivals of Udaipur
 

 Manali is a beautiful hill station near the northern end of the Kullu Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. The town of Manali has its references in several Hindu scriptures. According to myths after the great flood which devastated whole of the world, a Hindu sage called Manu landed on the earth at Manali to recreate the human life. Thus the region where he had landed came to be known as Manu -Alaya which literally means the abode of Manu. Manali is the changed name of Manu-Alaya. Old town of Manali also houses a temple dedicated to Manu. 

Modern history of Manali goes back to the time of the British rule. It was British who transformed this pastoral land into a beautiful hill station.  British in India made Manali their summer resort. They found the climate of Manali conducive to produce apples and therefore they planted there apple orchards on large scale. Under the rule of British Manali witnessed a large scale development. After the independence of India, Manali was further developed as a beautiful tourist spot. At present Manali is among the most preferred tourist destinations in India.

 Ludhiana is located 100 km west from state capital Chandigarh in Indian state Punjab.

People of Ludhiana are known for their lavish living style. They are considered to be among the most extravagant people of India. Most of the people living there are of Hindu religion while the people of Sikh and Muslim are also found living there in considerable number. Punjabi is the official and widely spoken language of Ludhiana. The city is rich in its culture and traditions.It is main hub of Punjab's culture, after Chandigarh, Amritsar & Jalandhar After independence of India the city of Ludhiana has witnessed the influx of the people from neighboring states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan etc and has become a cosmopolitan city. Nevertheless the city of Ludhiana has not lost its vibrant culture and tradition completely.

Ludhiana is a main center of cultural activities. Almost every week it hosts cultural programs at many auditoriums situated in the city. It is also known for its folk dance and songs. The city has produced several Punjabi singers. Bhangra, Ghumar and Gidda are some of the famous Punjabi folk dance forms of Ludhiana. Fair and festival celebrated in Ludhiana also form integral part of the culture of the people living there. Fairs and festival and other cultural event serve as the platform from where one can have the views of their vibrant and colorful culture and traditions.

Five-day long the Natyanjali Dance Festival is dedicated to Lord Nataraj(Lord of dances).Festival starts from the day of 'Maha Shivaratri' in the month of February at the Nataraj temple in Chidambaram,
Tamil Nadu. 

This temple is 1000 years old fitting backdrop to the spectacular event taking place under the golden roof of the temple showing pillars that depict Lord Nataraja in the classic 108 poses from the classical dance form of Tamil Nadu known as Bharatanatyam. This festival is organised by the Tourism Department of Tamil Nadu and the Natyanjali Trust.It is the opportunity for all dancers from all over the India to present their talent and to offer their dance to Lord Nataraj.
By getting inspired from this dance festival dance performances are held in the other temple like Thiruvarur,Pondicherry and in few more town.
It is designed to promote a universal message of 'Unity in Diversity' conveyed in the universal language of music and dance.

Jaipur
 

Ludhiana is the largest city of the state of Punjab, India. From being a small village named Meer Hota to its becoming Lodiana and then Ludhiana, Ludhiana has witnessed several rules of different kingdoms. From first century to the fourth one the region was under the rule of Yodhas. Thereafter it came under the rule of Samudragupta. The original Ludhianavis who are credited for founding Ludhiana came here late in 9th century. In the reign of Lodi the people around Ludhiana were being harassed by the Baluchis. Then the people appealed to Siknadar Lodi to help them out. In the reply to their appeal Sikander sent two officers named Yusuf khan and Nihang Khan. Nihang remained at a village named Meer Hota as Naib. He started to call the village Lodiana. Later his grandson Jalal Khan built Lodhi fort there. After that two sons of Jalal Khan divided the region around the fort among themselves. Later on Lodi dynasty was over thrown by Mughal in 16th century. The Mughal founded their strong government at Sirhind and attached Ludhiana to it as Paragana.

After the decline of Mughal, Ludhiana was ruled by several kingdoms. The Rais of Rajkot who were having considerable land around Ludhiana in lease from Mughal emperor ruled Ludhiana until 1809 Ranjit Singh of Sikh kingdom captured the region and stripped the Rais of all their possessions. Later on Ludhiana came under the control of British Empire in India. British continued to rule it until 1947 when India got freedom from the colonial rule. Many leaders of the Indian freedom movement came from Ludhiana.  

Ludhiana, the only Industrial city in Northern India, stands on the G.T Rd from Delhi to Amritsar. Distance of Amritsar from Ludhiana is 136 kms.