Citius Inbound

04/11/2021

May the beauty of the Deepavali season
Fill your home with Happiness,
And may the coming year provide you with all
That brings you joy!

15/04/2021

Thursday (April 15' 2021) is being celebrated as Poila Boishak or Bengali New Year. It is called 'Nabobarsho'. The word "Nobo" means "New" and "Borsho" means "Year" and therefore, 'Shubho Noboborsho' refers as "Happy New Year".
Across the world, people from the Bengali community celebrate this day with much joy and fervour. The day also marks the beginning of the financial year for the Bengali business class and shopkeepers and businessmen worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. Children especially await this day with a lot of enthusiasm as they get to wear new clothes and relish special Bengali delicacies.

14/04/2021

Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka, Mahé district of Union Territory of Pondicherry, neighbouring areas of Tamil Nadu and their diaspora communities. Vishu is believed to mark the day when Krishna killed the demon Narakasura. Hence, Krishna idols are kept in the Vishu kani.
Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu also called Xaat Bihu is a traditional aboriginal ethnic festival celebrated in the Northeastern Indian state of Assam and other parts of northeastern India by the indigenous ethnic groups of Assam, and marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.

04/04/2021

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." Happy Easter !!

28/03/2021

Holi is a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as the "festival of love", the "festival of colours", and the "festival of spring". The festival celebrates the eternal and divine love of Radha and Krishna. It also signifies the triumph of good over evil. It is one of the most exciting festivals celebrated in India as well by all Indians across the globe every uear with a lot of fervour and gusto. It's time to celebrate this vibrant festival with family and friends. Relish the sweet and slavoury taste of gujiya, smear your loved ones with colours, bid goodbye to chilling winters and get involved in fun and merrymaking. The day is marked with food and laughter as friends and relatives gather to partake in the spirit of the day.
Plan early and be a part of this exciting & colorful Holi festival next year. For further details, please connect with CITIUS inbound team.

23/03/2021

Namashkar Viewers! We are coming up with an interactive live session on "Bhagat Singh", on the 23rd of March (i.e Tuesday), 5 PM onwards, where we would take you on a wonderful storytelling, exploring the legends of Indian freedom struggle.

Do follow us on our page to get live session updates the moment any session starts - https://www.facebook.com/indiatourismkolkata

26/01/2021

31/12/2020

CITIUS INBOUND wishes all its patron, well wishers and travel partners a safe, healthy, prosperous and happy new year 2021.

24/12/2020

The best present one can hope for this year is to stay and spend time together with family. sends warm wishes to all its admirer, patron and travel partners.

12/11/2020

Dhanteras, also known as Dhanatrayodashi, is the first day that marks the festival of Diwali in India. It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik. Dhanvantari(The God of Health), who is also worshipped on the occasion of Dhanteras, is considered the God of Ayurveda who imparted the wisdom of Ayurveda. The Indian ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, announced its decision to observe Dhanteras, as the "National Ayurveda Day", which was first observed on 28 October 2016.
On Dhanteras, homes that have not yet been cleaned in preparation for Diwali are thoroughly cleansed and whitewashed, and Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and Ayurveda, is worshiped in the evening. The main entrance is decorated with colorful lanterns, holiday lights and traditional motifs of Rangoli designs are made to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the house. The festival is celebrated as Lakshmi Puja which is performed in the evenings when lamps of clay (Diyas) are lit. On the night of Dhanteras, diyas (lamps) are ritually kept burning all through the night in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.
Hindus consider this an extremely auspicious day for making new purchases, especially of gold or silver articles and new utensils. It is believed that new "Dhan" (wealth) or some item made of precious metal is a sign of good luck. In modern times, Dhanteras has come to be known as the most auspicious occasion for buying gold, silver, and other metals, especially kitchenware. The day also sees heavy purchases of appliances and automobiles.

27/09/2020

World Tourism Day 2020 highlights the important role tourism plays in preserving and promoting culture and heritage all around the world.
This year's theme -“Tourism and Rural Development” celebrates the sector’s unique ability to drive economic development and provide opportunities outside of big cities
For many rural communities, tourism means opportunity. It provides jobs and economic empowerment, including for women and youth. Tourism gives rural communities the ability to protect and promote their natural surroundings, as well as their culture and heritage. In doing so, it allows tourists to enjoy unique experiences. In 2020, World Tourism Day celebrates the sector's importance for those communities that would otherwise be left behind.
Tourism helps rural communities hold onto their unique natural and cultural heritage, supporting conservation projects, including those safeguarding endangered species, lost traditions or flavours.

31/08/2020

On the main and important (10th) day of the celebration, Re-Wishing everyone Happy Onam on Thiruvonam.
The ten days starting 22nd August(this year) are sequentially known as Atham, Chithira, Chodhi or Chothi, Vishakam, Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradam and Thiruvonam. The first and the last day of the festivity are particularly important in Kerala and to Malayalee communities throughout the globe.

22/08/2020

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of Ganesh to earth from his abode Kailash Mountain with his mother Goddess Parvati/Gauri. The festival is marked with the installation of Ganesh clay idols privately in homes, or publicly on elaborate pandals. Prayer, celebrations and immersions of the deities is the ritual. Although it is celebrated across the country but it is more popular and famous in western part of India. The vigour, pomp and show of the festival can be felt when one visits Maharashtra(more precisely Mumbai) during these days. Its a 10 day festival and ends with the immersion of the idol.
Lord Ganesha is also worshiped in other countries too. Japan worships as Kani-tenis who is generally considered the Japanese Buddhist form of the Hindu god of wisdom, Ganesha and is sometimes also identified with the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.

Significantly Onam festival also starts today. Onam, a harvest festival that falls in the months of August/September annually and is celebrated across India and the world. It is the main festival of the residents of Kerala. Onam festival is celebrated to honour the kind-hearted and much-beloved demon King Mahabali, who is believed to return to Kerala during this festival. It is also a 10 day festival with different activities performed specifically on each day.

15/08/2020

Fact Files : Few other countries celebrates today's date along with India as their day of Independence.
North Korea, South Korea and Republic of Congo achieved Independence on 15th August but the years were different.
Liechtenstein celebrates their National Day today, though the reason differs.
It is believed that Bahrain also declared their independence on this day. However they later started celebrating 16th December as their official National Day.

25/07/2020

Welcome to the episode of where you will be introduced to your host Suyash Keshari, his Photography and a very special place - Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, the heart of
During this episode you will also be introduced to a tigress named Solo, who Suyash has known since she was a tiny cub. And now, she has four little cubs - tracking her and her cubs will be a core endeavor for Suyash Keshari Photography as he takes you on a Safari to the tiger capital of the world! 🌳🐅🌳
Story Courtesy : Incredible India

25/06/2020

A revered pilgrimage site for Buddhists the world over, Kushinagar is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana after his death. Now with Kushinagar airport given the International status, pilgrims from across the globe will have ease of access to this sacred place.

23/06/2020

Subh Rath Yatra to all of our patrons and well-wishers
:)

22/06/2020

Vedic food and spices of India still remain unexplained to the world and never bridged with modern worlds cuisine. In this webinar will be sharing some Vedic food facts and some logic of spices and their uses by Chef Rajeev Goyal with cooking demo by Chef Gautam Chaudhary, we will also be decoding some myths about some foods and reasons to visit India to explore the same and experience in the originals. Please register here: https://bit.ly/Vedicfood

21/06/2020

Yoga is that Light, which, if you can lit once; will Never get Dimmed, the more you Practice, the Brighter the Flame will be. Make it a daily part of your life.
:)

20/06/2020

Yoga is viewed as Indian wisdom and many people from across the world and within India visit some of the renowned yoga centres for learning yoga and/or becoming teachers. This webinar on the international yoga day looks at the current yoga landscape and how it can be leveraged to broad base and scale up tourism in India. Please register here: https://bit.ly/India-Yoga

20/06/2020

Stay tuned for our next live session, (i.e. Yoga@home) with Geetika Sharma at 6 PM today only on our Fb page.

14/04/2020

Apart from "Poila Baishak" in West Bengal, India also celebrates:
"Tamizh Puthandu" in Tamil Nadu
"Bihu" in Assam
"Vishu" in Kerala.

May the festivals bring harmony, joy and prosperity in everyone's lives.
:)

14/04/2020

Team Citius(Inbound) wishes,

শুভ নববর্ষ or Shubho Noboborsho (Bengali New Year)

to all its patrons and their families ! Have a prosperous and blessed new year ahead.
:)

12/04/2020

Citius Holidays wishes "Happy Easter" to all its friends,patrons and their families.
:)

08/04/2020

ON THE WAY OF MOUNT KEDARDOME.(Part-2)

"Leader saab aap kahan ho?"
I replied, "I am stuck, drop a rope, do hurry"
"Don't worry. I am dropping a rope. Breathe deeply", Jay Singh assured me.

I could feel my hands swelling up from the bitter cold. As I looked up, I could see the rope which Jay was sending down. The rope was coming straight down, whereas I was at the far left corner of the crevasse. I stretched my arm but the rope was out of reach. I tried twice and realised that I could never reach that rope. I shouted, "Stop! Stop! Drop the rope tied to an ice axe. Then swing the rope". I had to repeat the instructions many times because Jay could not properly hear me. My voice reverberated inside the icy enclosure. Time was running out fast. I had already started shivering. It seemed that it was the end of me.

At that precise moment - down came the rope and the ice axe. I tied the nylon rope around myself. I shimmied up the slippery walls using my arms and feet. In mountaineering terminology, it is called 'chimney climbing'. The process drained me of my last ounce of strength. At an altitude of about 16,000 feet and that too inside a crevasse, the air was so thin that it was a difficult feat to perform. After some time, I could discern Jay Singh sitting at the mouth of the crevasse. He was giving me 'hip belay'. The mouth of the crevasse was very wide. I could not stretch myself across the chimney from one wall to the other. As an immediate and last resort, Jay Singh suddenly grabbed my hair and pulled me up. I had cuts and scratches on my arms and feet; but I was not bleeding. After rubbing incessantly for ten minutes, traces of blood appeared over the cuts.

So long I was ruminating my experience of 17th May, 1998. Let me now go back to the 6th of the same month, the day we had reached Uttarkashi. We had boarded "Doon express" from Howrah which dropped us at Haridwar. We were a six member team, intent on climbing Mt Kedardom, located in the heart of Garwaal Himalayas. After reaching Uttarkashi, we hired our climbing boots, ice axes and other equipment from Dias Memorial Fund of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. It was from Uttarkashi itself that our two High Altitude Friends, Jay Singh Sahi and Debi Singh Thakur joined us. We were also accompanied by our cook Arjun Singh Thakur and eleven low altitude porters.

10th May. At the break of dawn, our bus started from Uttarkashi and we reached Gangotri at five pm. For better acclimatisation, we stayed back at Gangotri for two days. On the morning of the 12th of May, we offered our puja in the temple of Goddess Ganga Maia and set off towards our goal. Our first target was Bhujbasha, fourteen kilometres from Gangotri enroute Gomukh, where we had decided to set up our first transit camp. We crossed Chirbasha and reached Bhujbasha at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

13th May. We would have to measure ten kilometres that day. Our destination was Kharapatthar. On the way, Mt Shivling, Bhagirathi I, Bhagirathi II gave us constant company. When we reached Gomukh(the snout of the glacier which gave birth to river Bhagirathi), we allowed ourselves a short rest.
Keeping Gomukh on our right, we climbed the steep left flank of the glacier(true right bank) to reach atop the glacier. There was barely a trail, guiding cairns were missing. At last we reached the top of the snout. Towards our left was Raktabaran glacier followed by Chaturangi glacier on the next gulley. We had to traverse across the Gangotri glacier in order to reach Tapobon. The glacier was crisscrossed with crevasses and we carefully traversed the region. Eventually, we reached the foot of Tapobon. A steep slope lay ahead of us. Our porters were plodding their way up. We put on our Coflas boots before taking to the slope. We slowly moved forward, leaving behind the Chaturangi glacier that sheltered Nandanvan and the majestic Bhagirathi group of peaks. Our pace was slow as it was a tough going. Finally we reached Tapobon. The whole pasture was covered with snow; there was no sign of grass or rocks. It was snow everywhere we looked around, barring the hermitage of Shamlai Baba, which was trying to keep itself afloat in this white sea of snow. We continued to move, wading through waist deep snow at some places. At last, we reached upper Tapobon(Kharapatthar). When we reached there, the low altitude porters refused to go any further. We had apprehended this already. But it could not be helped and we had to bid them au revoir.
To be Continued........

Picture courtesy - Late. Dipankar Ghosh

05/04/2020

ON THE WAY OF MOUNT KEDARDOME.

The first ray of dawn had just touched the crown of Mt. Kedardom. One by one, the snow clad peaks were beginning to stretch and wake up from their slumber. We were moving along the moraine region of the true left bank of Kirti glacier. A short distance ahead, our path descended into the body of the glacier, where we would cross it and reach the right bank. That place was designated for our Camp II.

We were right behind the twin peaks of Mt. Shivling. Shortly thereafter, we carefully descended down onto the hard ice of the Kirti glacier. The ropes fixed in the route of Mt. Shivling was clearly visible. Just ahead of us, there was an Italian team going up who had opened this route. In fact, one of their Sherpas was moving with us. We were not roped up and therfore we climbed very cautiously. We were moving in a line, depending entirely on our sagacity through knee-deep snow. We probed frequently with our ice axe because our path was littered with numerous hidden crevasses. A single mistake meant a cold, painful death inside this whited sepulchre.

Suddenly, a cry caused me to look up. I saw that our Sherpa Debi had sunk upto his waist into the snow, trying desperately to get up. Hastily, I put down my sack and moved forward, one step at a time. Hardly had I taken a couple of steps, I felt the snow layer slowly giving away under my feet. As the snowfloor parted slowly, like a slow motion movie, I was helplessly drawn into the depths of a crevasse. I tried to arrest my descent by plunging my axe into the ice. To my horror, as I drove my ice axe, it tore off from my hand. A tinkling, metallic noise notified me that my last hope was lost in the bottomless pit. I too was sliding down into the eternal silence of a snow trap.I groped about in the hope of finding a support that I could hang on to. It was hard ice everywhere around me. As I slowly went down, I was showered with powdered snow and small pebbles. The snow and pebbles rushed towards the hole to fill it up, I realised. I hit a long icicle and was pushed slightly towards the left. However hard I tried, I could not stop myself from sliding down more and more inside the crevasse. I could feel that the crevasse was narrowing down. At long last, I was able to stop myself by thrusting one foot in the front and the other at the back on the walls of this ice chimney.

The mouth of the crevasse was not directly above me and I was no more being rained with falling pebbles and snow. Twice I tried to pull myself up but in vain. I was entombed by hard ice on every side. I was feeling very cold. In the deathly silence, I could hear the trickling sound of water somewhere below me. On the top, slightly towards the right, a fine beam of light percolated in like my last ray of hope.

Every second seemed like an age until I heard the voice of our Sherpa Jay Singh. He asked, "Where are you, Leader?"

(To be continued...)

Photograph Courtesy - Late. Dipankar Ghosh.

31/03/2020

Kalimpong is a bustling bazaar town sprawls along a saddle-shaped mountain ridge overlooking the roaring Teesta River and is lorded over by the summit of Khangchendzonga. Smaller and more laid-back than Darjeeling, Kalimpong boasts Himalayan views, Buddhist monasteries, colonial-era architecture and a fascinating nursery industry, all linked by some fine hikes. Kalimpong is also home to various species of birds. So if you like bird watching and you are a wildlife photographer, you could easily fill three days here.

13/03/2020

The state of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) brings together three incredibly different worlds. Hindu Jammu and Katra, in the south, are the state's rail hubs and a major draw for domestic pilgrims. Muslim Kashmir is India's Switzerland, attracting hordes of local tourists seeking cool summer air, alpine scenery and Srinagar’s romantic houseboat accommodation.

Don't waste your time thinking about whether to visit Kashmir or not, just book your travel dates with us and explore Kashmir like never before :)

https://inbound.citius.in/packages/travel-to-kashmir?lang=eng