&lt;p>The ability to just pack a bag and head out on a path less followed has become a dream, thanks to the widespread pandemic. But we still have our backyard of an unexplored India to marvel at. The best way to do it will be road trips, in your car or on hire—it has been predicted to be the biggest travel trend. Taking it up a notch will be recreational vehicles, aka RVs, to traverse the myriad terrains of the country.&lt;/p>&lt;p>Also known as motorhomes, RVs are an established way of travelling and exploring. For many, #VanLife is a lifestyle choice—cross-country or for that matter cross-continent excursions are common occurrences internationally. In India, it has remained an aspiration. But in a post-COVID world, the aspiration is becoming a reality. The recent launch of Bengaluru-based LuxeCamper has suddenly thrown the spotlight on the untapped niche. But did you know that the Ministry of Tourism initially discussed the use of campervans or RVs in India in 2009-10? Known as Caravan Tourism, the policy has detailed developmental and promotional requisites for the propagation of RVs for tourism. More interesting is the fact that while many states have toyed with the idea of RVs as a viable tourism product, success was elusive. Madhya Pradesh was the only state that managed to get the ground running with two ‘caravans’ in 2014—they also won awards for the initiative.  &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBk25p_JYXX/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>And now Karnataka. We spoke to Tiger Ramesh, founder of Campervan Camps and Holidays India Pvt Ltd, the parent company of LuxeCamper, about starting the luxury campervans and trails in the state. “I have been on a lot of road trips and India has many great highway and roads, but the infrastructure is lacking. There are no toilets and no proper accommodation, making it is difficult to plan a long road holiday.” This presented a unique opportunity to disrupt the travel and hospitality sector in India. “There has been no innovation in the hospitality sector in the last 30-40 years. With LuxeCamper, we’re offering a new experience that is comfortable and family-friendly,” he adds. &lt;/p>&lt;p>LuxeCamper has received approval from the Automotive Research Association of India (Govt. of India undertaking) as per AIS 124 standards. These RVs also have national tourist permit and so as more and more states open up their policies for caravan tourism, Ramesh believes that LuxeCamper’s business is slated to grow. The excitement is palpable, specially with social-distancing rules still in play and travel, unlike ever before, a risky affair. “Currently travel is planned on the major pivot which is the night halt.  With campervans, a family is no longer worried about this. It also means they aren’t in a rush to reach from point A to point B. They can see the sights along the journey, drive more leisurely and enjoy their holiday a lot more,” Deepak Ananth, Founder and CEO, ScoutMyTrip puts it succinctly.&lt;/p>&lt;p>Adventure and eco-tourism is a natural segue for caravan tourism. The off-the-beaten-track is the first go-to for RVs—where flora and fauna flourish with complete abandon or where a hike up a mountain is worth a million steps on your Fitbit. Interest in these adventure-based and experiential vacations is on the rise and is also expected to see growth in the future. Not just LuxeCamper but also smaller players expect this to be a major draw for the business. Another Bengaluru-based company, Trippy Wheels, used their campervans as the focus of a YouTube show—&lt;i>Caravan Chronicles &lt;/i>by Sharanya Iyer and Ankita Kumar, who travel through Sikkim soaking in the sights and sounds of the Himalayan state. The show and the young travellers have gained an incredible fan-following over social media. There are other small-scale players such as Motorhome Adventures dabbling with campervans as a business. The business model has tremendous opportunities, but there are also hurdles. &lt;/p>&lt;p>The AIS 124 standards specify that a motorhome/RV/campervan is a Special Purpose Vehicle that, if not purchased as a unit, cannot be more than three years old when repurposing it. These vehicles need to meet 50+ provisions to be road-safe. These are over and above the primary living requirements, which include seat and table, sleeping accommodation, cooking facilities, storage amongst others, depending on the size of the vehicles. There is also the issue of the right drivers’ license. Most campervans are/will be categorised Heavy Motor Vehicles, which needs a separate driving license, as well as a certificate from the Regional Transport Office. Even if it is not a self-drive route, the driver needs to adept in ferrying passengers in a motorhome. &lt;/p>&lt;p>India’s infamous red-tape makes getting these sanctions cumbersome and cost-intensive. The current regulations make it only practical to make it a business venture says Ansoo Gupta, founder of OneShoe Travel, a responsible travel brand. Ramesh further explains that he had to build the shell and interiors of his campervans from scratch on a purchased chassis of a school bus. “At 220% the import duties on motorhomes are draconian and we simply couldn’t afford to buy one off the shelf,” he adds.&lt;/p>&lt;p>The cost of the whole RV experience is perhaps the crux of the entire matter in a country as price-sensitive as India. If we target the typical off-road adventure enthusiast, they aren’t in it for the comfort of it, irrespective of how much it costs. Gupta spells it out, “An adventure traveller is a very niche tribe who is not willing to dish out the money for a premium experience or simply doesn’t have it. While a traveller who wants a creature comforts won’t opt for an adventure experience.”  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Starting at Rs 39,999 for a two-day trail for two-people, LuxeCamper offers luxury pricing and amenities. A more spartan campervan would charge approximately Rs 15,000 but as Ramesh explains the fuel, parking fees, maintenance, and fixed costs such as road tax, certifications and insurance, the pricing barely offers a margin to gloat over. &lt;/p>&lt;p>The biggest draw of caravans is the ability to be closer to nature—that in itself is a challenge? How do you ensure that you aren’t doing damage to an already fragile eco-system? The image of exhaust fumes immediately pop up in mind along with human waste and trash. “How does one keep the carbon footprint in check, is a key point that needs to be addressed when planning a caravan tour,” Gupta points out. A well thought out and researched plan of action can address this issue.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>A caravan tour and its trail will depend upon how much the vehicle can take upon itself and how environmentally conscious a traveller and the enterprise is. Both LuxeCamper and TrippyWheels have partnered with accommodation providers for safe parking and amenities. While LuxeCamper, staying true to its name, has also gone the extra mile to be environmentally mindful and self-sustaining with solar panels, incinerator-based toilets and water storage to last two days straight. Travellers too are given guidelines to be more conscious of their surroundings and not be wasteful. &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLMZvwkFdrE/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>Rural and uninhabited locations come with their fair share of risks. However eclectic it may be, it’s not going to be safe to park the van along a highway to spend the night, “One would still need to look for a large town or a village where once can request permission to park and spend the night in,” says Ananth. The solution has already been outlined in the extensive guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism—caravan parks. These spaces need to have “standardisation of electricity, water and sewage connections to ensure total compatibility with Caravan specifications in India.” They also need to be at well-connected locations with proper safety and security provisions, designated parking bays and toilet facilities. “Travelling in RVs and motorhomes will remain a pipe-dream if this crucial infrastructure isn’t developed,” says Meraj Shah, a travel writer and host of WION Traveller. The factor that makes RVs so enticing is also a reason for mistrust and therefore makes caravan tourism’s success suspect. &lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;br>Needless to say, thrill-seekers and intrepid travellers will be excited by something new as well as experience our country is a more inclusive way. The interest in RVs and caravans has seen a spike thanks to films such as &lt;i>We’re The Millers&lt;/i> as well as popular culture in general. For #VanLife to get serious traction in India, government, camper van operators and travellers need to have the same vision for its future. While authorities need to ensure ease and affordability of entering the market with a caravan tourism offering, operators need to avoid cutting corners and causing more damage to the ecosystem and the last buck lies with us, the travellers, to maintain the integrity of destinations and be conscientious.   &lt;br>&lt;br>#VanLife ahoy! &lt;/p>&lt;p> &lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Image: Shutterstock.com&lt;/i>&lt;br>&lt;i>Photo credits: Shutterstock (banner) and RV Luxe Camper (inside)&lt;/i>&lt;/p>

Travelling in RVs and camper vans is no longer a pipe dream and if all goes well, a great way to explore India.

With the launch of Bangalore-based Luxe Camper, a whole new avenue of travel has opened up for Indians. Will there be takers? 

Caravan Tourism is the future of travel in India | Zee Zest

RVs and Road Trips: Is It The Future of Travel in India?

Travel

Caravan

India

Trends

Road Trips

&lt;p>For the desi turmeric latte guzzling and makhana snacking #VSCO girl, the perfect wedding comes with shades of green. Not the seven sins variety, but an environmentally-friendly wedding that seals the biggest day of your life with love for Mother earth too.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>The big fat Indian wedding is a dream for every Indian girl who has grown up on a steady diet of blingy Bollywood rom-com. But the hottest trend, right now, is to have an eco-friendly wedding, which despite being extravagant is also mindful.  &lt;br />
 &lt;br />
Compostable confetti, seed paper cards, potted plants and vintage Cadillacs, we have rounded up expert advice on how to plan an eco-friendly wedding in an era of over-consumption and wastefulness. Try one or all of these small changes to make a big impact on your wedding day. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Going green with food &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
From carefully choosing eco-friendly cutlery to reducing food wastage at your wedding buffet, , a green wedding is one where you are conscious of food consumption, while minimising waste. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Look for wedding caterers who focus on local, sustainable, and seasonal cuisine. Chef Sidney Dcunha, Executive Chef, Conrad Pune says, &ldquo;From using fresh organic produce from local farms in Pune to eco-friendly bamboo or coconut cutlery, we have stopped using plastic in all forms and are moving to paper as a substitute.&rdquo; That said, using porcelain and other reusable crockery continues to be an evergreen and ever-so-elegant option for an eco-friendly wedding. Another suggestion he gives is to associate with NGO&rsquo;s and orphanages where the untouched excess food can be donated. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>AlsoRead0&lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Dig out family heirlooms &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
If Kareena Kapoor Khan could wear her mother-in-law, Sharmila Tagore Pataudi&rsquo;s heirloom sharara on her wedding, so can you. Upcycle your silken threads or heirloom pieces to give them a new lease of life!  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Rather than splashing out big bucks on designer wear that you will wear once in your lifetime, repurpose some of the exquisite couture owned by your parents or grandparents. The same applies to jewellery; nothing better than precious vintage  baubles which are passed down from one generation to another to add a touch of timeless elegance to your wedding trousseau.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;img alt="sustainable wedding green wedding heirloom jewellery" src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Go-Green-Wedding-Heirloom-Jewellery_1612345722676.jpg" style="height:600px; width:900px" />&lt;/p>

&lt;p>If you&rsquo;ve rummaged through your mother&rsquo;s closets and found nothing suitable to wear for your wedding or reception, Chaithanya Ganesha, CEO and Director of Bangalore-based eco-friendly wedding planner Panigrahana, suggests that you can rent clothes and jewellery from several new-age fashion rental websites or pick separates to mix and match with what&rsquo;s in your closet.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>From being budget-friendly to saving you the hassle of hunting for the perfect outfit, companies such as Stage3, The Stylease, Rent It Bae and Flyrobe offer several options and packages to choose your designer togs for D-Day. What more? They also offer curated looks from bespoke designer wear along with trails and alterations to make your selection process smooth.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>If you want to buy something new, then try and find local brands which are eco-friendly, naturally dyed, handmade, and that support artisan communities, says Nilma Dileepan of Bangalore-based green wedding and event Design Company, With Love, Nilma. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>An E-vite or seed paper invitation&lt;/strong> &lt;br />
In the digital age, a beautifully designed e-vite followed by a personal phone call or visit are socially acceptable when it comes to wedding invitations. But if you do want to send out invites the traditional way, then choose recycled paper or seed paper which can be later be replanted by wetting the green wedding invitations and throwing them in the soil. Also make sure to use only vegetable dyes for printing.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>An animal-free wedding &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
The groom comes astride a horse and for pomp and show, a couple of elephants amble on in the background for a baarat is a commonplace sight. But like royalty, these are anachronisms in modern day times. Rather than continuing these outdated practices, Ganesha recommends you to hire a vintage car or a fancy bike, all decked up with bells and whistles, and rev up to the mandap in style. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>4 R&rsquo;s of wedding d&eacute;cor &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
When it comes to d&eacute;cor, Dileepan suggests picking elegant set-ups rather than blingy throwaways. Bring in the &lsquo;grammable chalkboard and cutesy mason jars, which can be reused. She recommends to reuse drapes, lighting, wooden d&eacute;cor and furniture, rather than build new iron thrones.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Reduce the use of flowers, which should be locally sourced. Rather than using cut flowers for bouquets or garlands, you can use flower pots at the venue, especially as centerpieces on tables. She also recommends donating flowers to NGOs or organisations that use them to make holi colours or agarbattis. Check out companies like Phool and Green Wave.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Recycling is a must post the wedding: the flowers and wasted food can be composted or given to a bio-gas plant.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>And finally, refuse anything that is not eco-friendly, after all it is your wedding and you can choose what you want!  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Location, location, location &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Rather than running helter-skelter from one venue in the city to another, a single venue will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but also enable you to save on expenses for the d&eacute;cor. Work with the location itself; if its outdoors, try and fit tables under the shade.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Choose great weather for your eco-friendly wedding, thus you can enjoy the outdoors and reduce your carbon footprint, without the air-conditioning or heating in full blast.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>You&rsquo;ll score a big win if you host a function during the day, scoring big on the natural light for photographs and reducing the gas-guzzling generators.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Get rid of plastic &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Those pesky plastic bottles have created mountains of waste in our cities and are threatening to choke our oceans. Choose glass bottles instead and keep steel or glass tumblers to cut down on your plastic-footprint.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>The party favours &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
You&rsquo;re grateful for your bestie in California for having swung half way around the world to be a part of your wedding. So, how can you not gift her a wedding favour? For the travelling crew, a potted plant and seeds will not be practical, so think of something edible, such as mithai from a local halwai or recycled stationery.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>A growing number of brides also choose to donate to their favourite charity instead of giving away favours. An elegantly tacked up sign board announcing the same will be much appreciated. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>AlsoRead1&lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Go easy on the photo albums &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Yes, we know you want this day to be well documented. But there is no need for fifteen albums of each of your wedding functions and 1000s of printed images in this wired world. One wedding album for the couple is sufficient, and you can enjoy all your pictures saved on the cloud, they&rsquo;re just a swipe away. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>A small simple wedding by the beach. Or a quiet ceremony in the temple. Your big day should be exactly as you dreamed, and there is nothing more than being surrounded by your loved ones for this occasion. But you can choose how big or small you want it to be. And how gentle you want to be with the Mother Nature which gives so much to you, including infinite love.  &lt;/p>


Let the D-Day of your life be eco-friendly. We show you how...

Throwing an environmentally friendly wedding does not mean you have to do away the dreams of a grand wedding. Zee Zest got in touch with specialists to show you 9 simple ways to have a green wedding. 

How to plan an eco-friendly wedding | Zee Zest

9 Easy Peasy Ways to Go Green at Your Wedding  

&lt;p>Scrolling down contenders of the Word of the Year title by Oxford Dictionary, in the last decade, scarcely scores any confidence in modern day living. Consider these words: climate emergency, climate crisis, eco-anxiety, ecocide and global heating, to name a few. It&rsquo;s enough to make any VSCO girl scream and discard her bamboo toothbrush, running straight to the hills. But worry not, we speak to experts who help us embrace slow living and a sustainable lifestyle in the first year of the new decade, one doable step at a time. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>GOING FARM-TO-FORK GRACEFULLY &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
The Netflix documentary &lt;em>Game Changers&lt;/em> threw the spotlight on the latest edible movement of going plant-based. But whether you are a meat eater, flexitarian, pescatarian or vegan, there are habits that will help you embrace a holistic diet going ahead. We speak to Delhi-based Radhika Khandelwal, Chef-Owner at Fig & Maple and Ivy & Bean, who shares some insights: &ldquo;The coming decade promises to be one where people will be more conscious about what they eat, how they eat it, and where they procure what they eat from.&rdquo; &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>1. Grow your own produce: &lt;/strong>So what if you don&rsquo;t have a lovely garden? Use your kitchen window sill or balcony for herbs or spices for a bit of home farming. Think lettuce, chillies, spinach, carrots, even beetroots, and herbs such as oregano, basil and parsley. Then you can season your cauliflower and vegan cheese pizza with herbs and tomatoes plucked straight from your flower pots. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>2. Swap a mainstream ingredient:&lt;/strong> An easy food swap (like rice or wheat) with an ingredient that&#39;s more diverse (like millet, barley, or buckwheat). This will help you stave off possible allergies due to GMOs, and eat locally grown, ethnic produce while supporting marginal farmers. As far as possible, try and choose organic, non-GMO grains.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>3. Source produce consciously:&lt;/strong> Elbow your way to the local farmers&rsquo; market that are sprouting up across Indian cities to choose  from the beautiful, knobbly irregular-shaped produce that is fresh and straight from the soil without sweating over the airmiles. It&rsquo;s time to ditch the perfectly shaped and polished veggies in supermarkets. Don&rsquo;t forget to carry your own shopping bag with you! &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>4. Preserve food:&lt;/strong> According to John-Hopkins medicine, there is a very pertinent connection between the mind and the gut. Rather than guzzling down probiotics, why not chomp on gut friendly foods? Khandelwal recommends using techniques like pickling, fermenting, jamming, etc., to get all the good microbes in your tummy doing their bit. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>5. Eat the rainbow!:&lt;/strong> &ldquo;A diverse diet is good for the body and good for the planet!&rdquo; says Khandelwal. Add generous servings of fruits and vegetables across the colour spectrum on your plate, giving you different vitamins, minerals and fibre, while being low in fat and calories. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
AlsoRead0 &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>TRAVELLING RESPONSIBLY &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
In 2020, a staggering two billion people will be travelling, leaving a big, fat indelible footprint across earth. But it doesn&rsquo;t have to be that way. A lot of tourists are becoming aware about their carbon footprint and environmental impact. In fact, according to global travel expert Skyscanner, in 2020, around 38 per cent of Indians will adopt slow travel.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Shivya Nath, Author, Blogger and Founder of The Shooing Star, and responsible traveller, set out on her first solo trip in 2011. &ldquo;In the age of over tourism and in the midst of a climate crisis, responsible tourism is not just a pressing need to protect the incredible natural and cultural heritage of our world, but is also the only way we can still find authentic experiences, engage meaningfully with locals and savour the pristine beauty (or what remains of it) on our planet,&rdquo; says Nath. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>6. Expand the travel narrative:&lt;/strong> We need to transform our guide-book driven travel narrative and embrace something experiential. &ldquo;We need to expand travel to experiences that stimulate us and move away from the peer pressure of seeing or doing something just because it&rsquo;s marketed as THE thing to do,&rdquo; she says. So, the next time you decide a holiday, look at a food experience, the art, the music and culture of a region, rather than vying for a selfie at the &lsquo;in&rsquo; spot. &lt;br />
 &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>7. Go off season or choose countries off the beaten track:&lt;/strong> Avoid being one of the sweaty hoard of tourists that arrives at a tourist destination during peak season when countless others descend as well. Shimla&rsquo;s water crisis two years ago is a scary reminder of tourism&rsquo;s negative impact on a destination. &ldquo;The most practical tip to fix this imbalance is to prioritise countries or regions where locals are still genuinely curious to meet travellers, and can still reap the positive benefits of tourism,&rdquo; says Nath. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>8. Opt for eco-friendly, local-run accommodations:&lt;/strong> Nath, who has stayed in tiny boutique gems such as The Secret Garden in Goa and Sarmoli in Uttarakhand says, &ldquo;Staying at eco-friendly homes has enabled me to experience the local culture beyond the tourist track, immerse myself in nature, interact with locals doing meaningful work in the area and gain an understanding of the unique circumstances of the people I&rsquo;m visiting.&rdquo; &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;img alt="Slow Living Slow Travel Cycling" src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Slow-Living-inside-1_1612345798858.jpg" style="height:900px; width:900px" />&lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>9. Walk, cycle or take public transport:&lt;/strong> While you can be awfully tempted to jump in the next Uber when you&rsquo;re on vacation, Nath recommends you slow down and smell the roses, enjoy scenic locales and reduce your carbon footprint. This is the most immersive way to discover a new city. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE HOME &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Our homes are sanctuaries in a world plagued by busy-ness. In the times of Marie Kondo, a clutter-free home not only keeps good energy flowing, it frees up resources for you to spend on something much more valuable: experiences. Jenny Pinto, Founder of Oorjaa, a design studio that handcrafts sustainable materials into lighting solutions, tells us how to go green at home and incorporate sustainable living practices.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>10. Be mindful of your purchases:&lt;/strong> &ldquo;Do I really need this?&rdquo; Pinto asks you to question every purchase, however enticing&mdash;home theater, laptop, cooking stove, and wine cooler. She advises the same restraint when you want to throw something away. &ldquo;Many things can be recycled, repurposed or restored creatively,&rdquo; she says. Dispose rubble and household items properly. Rubble can be used to landscape the gardens, or even something innovative like building a feature wall.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>11. An intelligent home design:&lt;/strong> Living within four walls can be restrictive, so if you have the privilege to build or reconstruct your own home, Pinto advises you to design an energy efficient home. Account for ventilation to reduce the use of an AC. Bring in natural light into your home through windows. Add solar heaters and switch to LED bulbs. And finally, add a composting system and use water saving devices in your home.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>IN THE PINK OF HEALTH &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
With stress, lifestyle diseases and depression on the rise, the popularity of holistic healing and wellness is understandable. Managing stress through yoga, meditation and pranayama, and turning inwards can enrich your outer world faster than any blingy bauble. Dr. Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, Director, The Yoga Institute, the world&rsquo;s oldest yoga organisation, tells us to make changes slowly, rather than suddenly and based on the latest fads in glossies. She says, &ldquo;Always follow what your body is comfortable with. Yoga says to be with yourself, understand yourself. Observe which food suits you and which doesn&rsquo;t, which routine suits you and which doesn&rsquo;t and make your life accordingly.&rdquo; &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;img alt="Slow Living Yoga" src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Slow-Living-inside-2_1612345816286.jpg" style="height:653px; width:900px" />&lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>12. Eat home-cooked and fresh food:&lt;/strong> Focus on &lsquo;Ahar&rsquo; eating four times a day, she says. Food needs to be enjoyed, without skipping any meal (breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner). Drink liquids while eating and focus your awareness not only on what you are eating, but also how much.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>13. Rest and Recreation with a dose of discipline:&lt;/strong> A healthy dose of &lsquo;Achar&rsquo; or discipline is essential in modern day living where you laze around in the bed past noon on the weekends, or binge watch Netflix the whole day in PJs. &ldquo;Discipline solves half your problems,&rdquo; she explains. Add to that some &lsquo;Vihar&rsquo; or rest and recreation, says Jayadeva Yogendra, whether it is sports thrice a week, a good stretch with yoga, or a refreshing walk in the neighbourhood park.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>14. Food for thought:&lt;/strong> Think positive thoughts, remain calm and composed in every situation for a balanced state of mind. Meditate. Sit with yourself alone each day for some time, analyse where you are and where you want to go and work towards your goal.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>EMBRACING CLEAN BEAUTY &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
With pictures for the &lsquo;gram and social media having exploded to the stratosphere, naturally looking good is paramount. But in our polluted cities, is there a gentler way of looking good without another layer of chemicals? DIY masks, face scrubs and other grandmother&rsquo;s recipes are soaring in popularity, so before you reach for the turmeric latte, slather some of the fresh tuber on your face. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>15. Protect your skin with layers:&lt;/strong> &ldquo;Pollution is the biggest aggressor of skin issues that causes inflammation, damages collagen, disrupts the skin barrier, and consequently accelerates ageing,&rdquo; says Nandeeta Manchandaa, the founder of Enn&#39;s Closet. Therefore, it&rsquo;s important to create a protective layer with a toner, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen to form a barely-there yet efficient barrier between the pollutants and skin. Manchandaa recommends people switch to natural, safe and chemical free products, so that the harmful ingredients don&rsquo;t penetrate into the bloodstream and cause harm in the long run.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>16. Embrace ancient tools:&lt;/strong> Whether it is a kansa massage wand, a jade roller or Gua-sha, there are ample traditional beauty tools you can add to your arsenal to give you skin a lift, without resorting to invasive, painful procedures. &ldquo;These tools offer a holistic approach to beauty and wellness, firmly rooted in their respective cultures. This traditional system believes in prevention and daily tending, helping in regular detox to prevent the onset of disease&rdquo; says Rajni Ohri, founder of Ohria Ayurveda, which has created the Tridoshic Kansa skin massage wand for clean beauty warriors. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>17. Substitute chemicals with DIY:&lt;/strong> Instead of slathering on a body wash with micro beads, use a gram flour and masoor dal ubtan. In place of chemical filled shampoos, use a mixture of amla, reetha and shikakhai. Eschew moisturisers, and rather slather on some body oil. The internet is full of granny&rsquo;s beauty tips, so log on to glean wisdom from our ancestors, with proper precaution.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>CONSUME FASHION RESPONSIBLY &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
The $2.5 trillion fashion industry is touted as the second most polluting industry in the world, accounting for more than eight per cent of the global climate impact, more than the airline and shipping sector. So, before you click on the buy button for your next fast fashion purchase, stop and think of how you&rsquo;re impacting the planet.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>18. Embrace smaller, slow fashion labels:&lt;/strong> Buy slow fashion labels, which follow ethical practices and are gentle on earth. However, balance consumption by deliberating over every purchase. And if you buy one, give two pre-loved clothes away. &ldquo;Being conscious of your consumption and buying lesser but better makes you want to automatically pick up clothing that has a story behind it, because you know it&rsquo;s going to be in your wardrobe for a long time&rdquo; says Natasha Tyagi Sachdeva, founder and Head of Design and Creatives, Taaka Clothing. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>19. Host clothes and accessories swapping parties:&lt;/strong> When you don&rsquo;t want to repeat an outfit (blame it on social media!), rather than discard it or stuff it at the back of your cupboard, host a clothes swapping party, where you and your friends and siblings can refresh their wardrobes, while it being easy on the pocket, says Tanya Jain, founder of slow fashion label, Pasithea. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>20. Refresh your old clothes:&lt;/strong> Give a new lease of life to old clothes says Tyagi Sachdeva, who adds small badges or hand embroiders small hearts, stars or contrast stitch-lines on her old clothes to give them a wee pop. &ldquo;I also love getting my clothes re-dyed to give them a new life,&rdquo; says the designer, who also rushes to the darzi to patch clothes together to remake them with patches or repurpose them.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;em>Images: Shutterstock.com&lt;/em>&lt;/p>


Slow down, take a moment, learn from ancient wisdom 

From buying from local Farmers' Markets to thinking twice before making any purchase, let the new decade be about being conscious and slow living. 

20 Ideas for Slow Living, Clean Eating and Conscious Travel - Zee Zest

20 Ideas to Live Slow, Eat Clean and Travel Consciously in the New Decade

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&lt;p>From nature and adventure to culture and cuisine, there’s something for everyone on this list. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>1. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh &lt;/h3>&lt;p>The Northeast of India continues to be a top draw for Indian travellers. Sabina Chopra, Co-Founder and COO, Yatra.com recommends Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. “Home to a famous 400-year-old monastery and the birthplace of Dalai Lama, this stunning place is also known for its Madhuri Lake, Penga Teng Tso Lake, Sela Pass and Tipi Orchid Sanctuary. For a getaway from the scorching summer heat, this is one of the best places to visit in the month of April,” she says. Also visit Ziro to witness Myoko, a unique friendship festival (usually mid to end March) celebrated by the eight Apatani tribes in the valley. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>2. Little known nooks of Goa &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Been there, done that, right? But there’s more to Goa than its beach shacks and party vibe. Instead of guzzling endless beers, dive into a cultural experience. Try the sunshine state’s favourite drink feni, a funky fermented spirit made from cashew apple. Better yet, visit the world’s only feni cellar at Cazulo Premium Feni Distillery. The owner Hansel Vaz will you show you around his collection of antique garrafãoes, glass bottles used for storing feni. Stay back for a feni tasting followed by a local Goan dinner. The next day, explore some charming, heritage Indo-Portuguese mansions—the opulent 16th-century Figueiredo Mansion crammed with vintage furniture is a must-visit, as is the vast and airy, riverside Palácio do Deão that was built in 1787. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>3. Gushaini, Himachal Pradesh &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Explore Himachal Pradesh beyond the usual Shimla, Kullu and Manali circuit. Devendra Parulekar, Founder, SaffronStays recommends Gushaini, a quaint and serene village in the Tirthan Valley. “Just 1.5 hours from Kullu airport, it is perfect if you wish to forgo the conventional Himachal Pradesh itinerary,” he says. The state is also high on the list for winter travel. “Currently there is immense interest from guests to experience snow, so destinations such as Mashobra are in demand,” adds Amit Damani, Co-Founder, Vista Rooms.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead0&lt;/p>&lt;h3>4. Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Kerala &lt;/h3>&lt;p>God’s Own Country is always in vogue, Kerala ranked at No. 18 in Airbnb’s 20 trending destinations (worldwide) for 2020. Its cultural capital, Kochi, has also features as one of the top 10 cities on Lonely Planet’s annual Best in Travel list. One reason to visit is the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, one of the largest contemporary art festivals in Asia – expect colourful street art, cool installations, and more. After soaking in the art, head into Kerala’s lush countryside. Daniel D’Souza, President and Country Head Leisure, SOTC Travel recommends Kumarakom “for its expanse of paddy fields, a network of backwaters, delicious local cuisine, and traditional kettuvallam or houseboats”.&lt;/p>&lt;figure class="image image-style-align-center">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Visit-india-Maheshwar-MP-inside_1612379215931_thumb_800.jpeg" alt="Maheshwar Madhya Pradesh">&lt;/figure>&lt;h3>5. Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh &lt;/h3>&lt;p>The ‘heart of India’ is an ideal destination for the culture traveller. Divyakshi  Gupta, a Mumbai-based travel blogger suggests visiting Maheshwar. “With its exceptionally clean ghats, Shiva temples, intricate architecture and &lt;i>jharokhas&lt;/i> that gave glimpses of River Narmada, this humble city offered so much more than I expected. For me the highlights were the meditative boat ride along a very clean Narmada, and meeting the women weavers who weave the famous Maheshwari silk saris,” she says. She recommends visiting Labboo’z Café near Shri Maheshwar Fort for home cooked meals under a canopy of trees. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>6. Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Manipur is an underrated gem in Northeast India offering everything from adventure travel (e.g. a canoe ride inside Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world's only floating wildlife park) to sampling tribal cuisines and exploring the state’s vast textile heritage. “The Meitei community is known for the finest silk gauze with abstract floral patterns hand-woven by the women around Bishnapur district,” says Julie Kagti, Founder, Curtain Call Adventures, a boutique travel company that curates cultural trips to the Northeast. She also recommends visiting villages of the Rongmei community who use back-strap looms and create intricate patterns without tracing or marking, just using patterns passed on from mothers to daughters. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>7. Bhubaneswar, Odisha &lt;/h3>&lt;p>For serious foodies, Odisha is the place to be. “Odisha as a travel destination has been barely explored, and its cuisine and culture are highly underrepresented. With traditions that go back hundreds of years, Odisha has a unique identity distinct from its neighbouring states, offering sights, sounds, eats and experiences you will not find anywhere else in India”, says Thomas Zacharias, ex-Chef Partner at The Bombay Canteen and O Pedro restaurants in Mumbai. He recommends the unassuming Kaka Hotel inside Ekamra Haat in Bhubaneswar, which offers an elaborate lunch thali with dishes such as  &lt;i>aloo chakata, mutton jhola, machha besara&lt;/i>, and &lt;i>ghanta tartkari&lt;/i> cooked in a homely style at an affordable price. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>8. Jawai, Rajasthan &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Rajasthan is a perennial favourite on any India travel list; the blue city of Jodhpur marked India’s only presence on the annual New York Times 52 Places list for 2020. But step outside the main cities (their regal charm notwithstanding) to get up, close and personal with the big cats. Travel writer Charukesi Ramadurai suggests visiting Jawai where leopard conservation is the strongest in India. “It is not a national park with defined limits, the leopards roam more or less freely on the hills, part of the Aravallis,” she says. Ramadurai recommends staying at the boutique Bera Safari Lodge, which offers wildlife safaris with experienced leopard trackers. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>9. Deorital Chandrashila, Uttarakhand&lt;/h3>&lt;p>No India travel list is complete without a Himalayan trek! Uttarakhand has several scenic treks, some of which are suitable for beginner-level trekkers. India Hikes recommends the 6-day long Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek, which is rather rewarding as you see all the major summits in Uttarakhand. The trek has one of the best forest trails that is especially spectacular in spring when the rhododendrons blossom. March-May and September-December are the best times for this trek.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>10. Shantiniketan, West Bengal &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Just 165km north of Kolkata, Shantiniketan is quintessential Bengal. “The red earth, the utopian concept of global university or Visva-Bharati set up by Rabindranath Tagore, and the constant pursuit to uphold their cultural heritage make this Bengal town unique,” says Amrita Das, Photo Editor, RoundGlass Sustain (a media repository of India’s natural world). Tagore started the tradition of Basanta Utsav, an annual festival when the university students perform songs and dances to welcome spring. Das also recommends visiting Lipi Biswas’s Studio Boner Pukur Danga to buy beautifully crafted ceramic pottery made of Shantiniketan’s red earth. &lt;/p>

Culinary treats, art biennale, leopard sightings–we have your 2021 holiday list sorted.

Check out Zee Zest's list of the must-visit places in India and experience the best of nature, adventure, culture and cuisine.

Top 10 destinations and best places to visit in India | Zee Zest

Top 10 Destinations to Visit in India

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<p>What’s the best kind of vacation you look forward to?</p><p>One that takes you on an exploratory trail full of adventure or one that's a leisure trip that comforts your senses. If you are seeking the latter, let me assure you that the first thing that strikes you about Sri Lanka is how easy it is on the eyes, but heavy on the senses.   </p><p>Sri Lanka is the perfect home away from home. One that is best explored with a leisurely road trip that allows you to stop, soak and submerge in the multitude of flavours that come at you at every turn. From the gorgeous greens of Kandy to the beautiful blues of Galle and beyond, travelling by road is easily the best option to discover Sri Lanka’s hidden gems—think picturesque tea estates, stunning beaches, mind-blowing food, rich Sinhalese culture and warm hospitality. Most tourists travel south and west from Colombo to hit the coastline or go north and east towards the centre to Nuwara Eliya and Kandy.</p><p>If you are imagining rusty, sweaty and a bumpy road ride that will burn a hole in your pocket, let me assure you that hiring a good car for six nights with an experienced driver will cost you nothing over INR 20,000 (tolls excluded)! So why wait? Here’s a detailed itinerary for a week-long holiday with personal recommendations that will more than impress you! After all, its all about the journey!</p><h3>Getting into Sri Lanka</h3><p>If you are flying into Sri Lanka, the Bandaranaike International Airport/Colombo International airport is well connected to most countries. Don’t get underwhelmed by the size of the airport, while it is small, it is well-organised, and offers just what is necessary.</p><p>Colombo and Galle are connected by a swift expressway, and can cover the distance in less than two hours. Make sure you pre-book a seasoned driver-cum-guide or book one as soon as you land in the country from one of the airport car rental counters to make your road trip smooth and peaceful.  </p><p> </p><h3>Colombo<br> </h3><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Aerial-view-Colombo_1614927267077.jpg"><figcaption>Aerial view of Colombo</figcaption></figure><p>A rich colonial heritage and a modern present—lush gardens, old mansions, fine dining options, shopping malls packed with designer brands, street markets—all blend seamlessly within the busy city of Colombo.</p><p>If you are a history buff, spend the day exploring the many temples and churches, the National Museum, the historical streets of Pettah, the gorgeous Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque and the Geoffrey Bawa House, where the renowned architect Bawa lived briefly and features his love for traditional local forms and his stark white architectural palette. </p><p>Make a quick pitstop at the Dutch Quarters—a buzzing area with hip and happening bars and restaurants and live music to unwind the day. If you have six nights to spend in this beautiful country and are spending at least a night in Colombo, stay at the beautiful Taj Samudra Colombo for a truly luxurious and immersive experience. The majestic sea-facing rooms and scrumptious food at the hotel’s marquee restaurant Golden Dragon deserve a mention for its authentic culinary offerings and the best of Sri Lankan crab delicacies.</p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h3>Kandy<br> </h3><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_SriLanka-Elephant-Orphanage_1615795470603.jpg"><figcaption>Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage</figcaption></figure><p>Day 2 is when the road trip truly begins. The drive from Colombo to Kandy, the former capital of Sri Lanka, takes about three and half hours. For a quick lunch before you drive into the city, halt at a riverside eatery called the Honey Pot and dig straight into the flavourful Sri Lankan curry rice dish that is served with a side of local greens, a yellow lentil curry, crackers and a sweet pickle and the local Thalapath fish gravy.</p><p>Surrounded by the central highland mountains, enjoy the lush green cover and a breezy ride as you enter Kandy. Perfect for all kind of visitors, Kandy has a lot of character with something in store for everyone. For the spiritual, there’s the Temple of Tooth Relic, considered as the most important Buddhist temple that has a tooth relic of the Buddha. For the wildlife enthusiast, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, that houses close to 100 elephants in their natural habitat is a definite draw.</p><p>My food recommendations in Sri Lanka is a long list of must-haves. Bursting with sharp spices, flavours, and sumptuous curries, rice is the centerpiece of every dish. Ditch the fancy restaurants and scout for local snack joints selling vegetable/egg/meat<i> kottu rotti</i> and string hoppers and a local variety of kaali jalebi called <i>undu wel</i>. String hoppers, a Lankan delicacy, made of rice, are a version of idiyappams from Kerala. Another delicacy that can easily be counted as comfort food is the local <i>puttu </i> served with spicy chicken curry. Try it from The Vinci Caterers, a street side vendor, although they get sold out early evening. </p><p>If you are looking for a cosy Airbnb, the Casa H property on the Mahaweli river, the 335-km lifeline of the country, is one of the hippest places to stay in town. </p><h3>Kandy to Galle </h3><p>Be prepared for a long leg of travel but with a few picturesque halts from Kandy to Galle. Take the first stop at the Embilmeegama Tea Factory at the outskirts of Kandy, famous for excellent Broken Orange Pekoe (B.O.P) and Orange Pekoe tea. Here, you can watch a quick tour of the process of making tea and also sample the many varieties of brews. My recommendation: avoid the high-priced and fancy sounding ones. We brought back the orange pekoe, a good black tea with rich flavour. It also makes for a great gifting option for your loved ones back home. </p><p>Take the second halt at Susantha Spice & Herbal Garden. This government certified horticulture cum herbal medicine centre is a wonderland to cure the aches and pains the au naturel way. From natural medicines for diabetes to hair loss, all the ingredients are sourced from the jungles of Sri Lanka. </p><p>Pro tip: Stock up while you're there; you cannot order them online.  </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h3>Ahangama <br> </h3><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Ahangama-inside_1614690571331.jpg"></figure><p>Winding into Galle, this is a surfer’s paradise. Off-beat and non-commercial, Ahangama is a quaint coastal town located 27 km to the east of Galle. If you aren’t feeling adventurous enough for surfing, there are other sailing activities that will catch your fancy. </p><p>Stay at the 125-year-old heritage bungalow by the Cantaloupe Group replete with four poster beds, wicker furniture and good food—it’s Sri Lankan hospitality at its best. A coastline with several scenic beaches, drive to the Weligama Beach, known for the beach side fishermen shacks, in the evening and dine at the Wijaya Beach in Unawatuna and catch a mesmerising sunsets over pizzas and French wine for company.</p><h3>Unawatuna<br> </h3><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Fishing-srilanka_1615884502362.jpg"></figure><p>Unawatuna calls for a dedicated halt to take in the beauty. Ditch all your shopping and touristy activities and enjoy the unending expanse of the Indian Ocean lined by swaying coconut trees. You could consider staying at the beach front boutique property called Sielen Diva, right in the middle of Unawatuna. Considering there are just four suites on the first floor, booking well in advance is always recommended. It is not cheap, but it’s worth every penny you spend to stay here. Head to the serene beach of Koggala which lies between Unawatuna and Weligama for a picturesque view of stilt fishing that is a huge attraction for tourists. The 300-year-old fishing method is unique to Sri Lanka and is considered a dying tradition. To catch these skilled fishermen- sitting on a narrow pole and using just a fishing rod- you have to visit the Koggala beach in the morning or evening only, believed to be the best time for a good catch.<br> </p><h3>Galle Fort<br> </h3><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Galle-Fort-inside_1614690624310.jpg"></figure><p>A perfect combination of beach and culture, Galle Fort is one of the most important areas in Galle. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Galle Fort, was built by the Portuguese in 1588, then fortified by the Dutch from 1649.</p><p>The multi-ethnic and multi-religious population makes Galle Fort one of the favourite tourist hot spots. Bustling with beautiful stores, this is the place for all your shopping hauls. You will find the most beautiful Sri Lankan gems and jewellery, local souvenirs and goods, handwoven sarongs and home linen. </p><p>Go for a stroll along the fort, the thick ramparts, and the churches. Visit Pedlar’s Sreet where the action is at. For a coffee and gelato break, try out Isles of Gelato and you won't be disappointed.</p><p>Hop to Rampart Hotel for their lunch buffet, the beautiful view of the ramparts and the sea will make sure you leave with good pictures and a satiated tummy. They also serve a wide selection of Deviled dishes (influenced by Chinese, adapted to Sri Lankan sauce served with crackers).</p><p>Before leaving Galle, a visit to Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel rooftop or the beach side Sugar Beach Café is a must to catch a view of the gorgeous sunset.  </p><h3>Back to Colombo <br> </h3><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Crabs-srilanka_1615884515665.jpg"></figure><p>If you are still not done with shopping and eating, visit the Dutch Hospital area that gets buzzing in the evenings, particularly over the weekends.</p><p>We decided to go the Marine Drive, the side of Colombo that’s fallen a bit off the chart, for lunch. And our choice was a hidden gem called MB Yaal. Recommended by a local, Yaal serves authentic spicy Jaffna cuisine. The prawn biryani, a local fish fry and really spicy crab curry were ordered. Leaving you with a runny nose at the end of the meal, MB Yaal is one of the hidden gems of you travel for food. </p><p>House of Fashion, Odel, Barefoot and Cotton Collection feature in every local expert’s shopping list for all things cotton and linen in Colombo. Don’t leave the city without a visit to Noritake, the Lanka-Japanese store that sells elegant crockery, and has several celebrity patrons. There are multiple stores in Sri Lanka, the one in Wattala even offers factory rejects at great bargain prices. </p><p>Whether you are headed inland to tea country, or to the cultural triangle, Sri Lanka fills you with its untouched beauty and a fulfilling culinary journey. But what touches the most is the zen-like attitude of the Sinhalese and the warmth they shower to all those who come visiting. Pack your bags now! </p><hr><h3>COVID-19 rules for travellers in Sri Lanka</h3><ul><li>Apply for visa online on Visit Sri Lanka app.</li><li>A COVID-19 negative test result which no older than 96 hours before departure is mandatory. Vaccines are not considered at the moment.</li><li>A complete ‘Health Declaration Form’ needs to be presented to Sri Lankan officials on arrival.</li><li>Depending on the number of days you are in Sri Lanka, you will have to take three-four COVID-19 PCR tests.</li><li>You need to have COVID-19 insurance policy and pre-pay for test that will be conducted during your stay.</li><li>For the first 14 days, you need stay in 'Level 1' hotels.</li><li>Only a limited number of tourists sites are open to international travellers, currently.</li></ul><hr><p><br><i>All Photos: Shutterstock</i></p>

If you are a sucker for road trips, a relaxing Sri Lankan odyssey will blow your senses away at every curve.

Sri Lanka with its picturesque tea estates, stunning beaches, mind-blowing food and wildlife safaris is a is a must-visit destination for all travel freaks.

Road Trip through Sri Lanka - Travel - Zee Zest

Bookmark Sri Lanka for Your Next Big Road Trip 

Sri Lanka

<p>The ability to just pack a bag and head out on a path less followed has become a dream, thanks to the widespread pandemic. But we still have our backyard of an unexplored India to marvel at. The best way to do it will be road trips, in your car or on hire—it has been predicted to be the biggest travel trend. Taking it up a notch will be recreational vehicles, aka RVs, to traverse the myriad terrains of the country.</p><p>Also known as motorhomes, RVs are an established way of travelling and exploring. For many, #VanLife is a lifestyle choice—cross-country or for that matter cross-continent excursions are common occurrences internationally. In India, it has remained an aspiration. But in a post-COVID world, the aspiration is becoming a reality. The recent launch of Bengaluru-based LuxeCamper has suddenly thrown the spotlight on the untapped niche. But did you know that the Ministry of Tourism initially discussed the use of campervans or RVs in India in 2009-10? Known as Caravan Tourism, the policy has detailed developmental and promotional requisites for the propagation of RVs for tourism. More interesting is the fact that while many states have toyed with the idea of RVs as a viable tourism product, success was elusive. Madhya Pradesh was the only state that managed to get the ground running with two ‘caravans’ in 2014—they also won awards for the initiative.  </p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBk25p_JYXX/"></oembed></figure><p>And now Karnataka. We spoke to Tiger Ramesh, founder of Campervan Camps and Holidays India Pvt Ltd, the parent company of LuxeCamper, about starting the luxury campervans and trails in the state. “I have been on a lot of road trips and India has many great highway and roads, but the infrastructure is lacking. There are no toilets and no proper accommodation, making it is difficult to plan a long road holiday.” This presented a unique opportunity to disrupt the travel and hospitality sector in India. “There has been no innovation in the hospitality sector in the last 30-40 years. With LuxeCamper, we’re offering a new experience that is comfortable and family-friendly,” he adds. </p><p>LuxeCamper has received approval from the Automotive Research Association of India (Govt. of India undertaking) as per AIS 124 standards. These RVs also have national tourist permit and so as more and more states open up their policies for caravan tourism, Ramesh believes that LuxeCamper’s business is slated to grow. The excitement is palpable, specially with social-distancing rules still in play and travel, unlike ever before, a risky affair. “Currently travel is planned on the major pivot which is the night halt.  With campervans, a family is no longer worried about this. It also means they aren’t in a rush to reach from point A to point B. They can see the sights along the journey, drive more leisurely and enjoy their holiday a lot more,” Deepak Ananth, Founder and CEO, ScoutMyTrip puts it succinctly.</p><p>Adventure and eco-tourism is a natural segue for caravan tourism. The off-the-beaten-track is the first go-to for RVs—where flora and fauna flourish with complete abandon or where a hike up a mountain is worth a million steps on your Fitbit. Interest in these adventure-based and experiential vacations is on the rise and is also expected to see growth in the future. Not just LuxeCamper but also smaller players expect this to be a major draw for the business. Another Bengaluru-based company, Trippy Wheels, used their campervans as the focus of a YouTube show—<i>Caravan Chronicles </i>by Sharanya Iyer and Ankita Kumar, who travel through Sikkim soaking in the sights and sounds of the Himalayan state. The show and the young travellers have gained an incredible fan-following over social media. There are other small-scale players such as Motorhome Adventures dabbling with campervans as a business. The business model has tremendous opportunities, but there are also hurdles. </p><p>The AIS 124 standards specify that a motorhome/RV/campervan is a Special Purpose Vehicle that, if not purchased as a unit, cannot be more than three years old when repurposing it. These vehicles need to meet 50+ provisions to be road-safe. These are over and above the primary living requirements, which include seat and table, sleeping accommodation, cooking facilities, storage amongst others, depending on the size of the vehicles. There is also the issue of the right drivers’ license. Most campervans are/will be categorised Heavy Motor Vehicles, which needs a separate driving license, as well as a certificate from the Regional Transport Office. Even if it is not a self-drive route, the driver needs to adept at ferrying passengers in a motorhome. </p><p>India’s infamous red-tape makes getting these sanctions cumbersome and cost-intensive. The current regulations make it only practical to make it a business venture says Ansoo Gupta, founder of OneShoe Travel, a responsible travel brand. Ramesh further explains that he had to build the shell and interiors of his campervans from scratch on a purchased chassis of a school bus. “At 220% the import duties on motorhomes are draconian and we simply couldn’t afford to buy one off the shelf,” he adds.</p><p>The cost of the whole RV experience is perhaps the crux of the entire matter in a country as price-sensitive as India. If we target the typical off-road adventure enthusiast, they aren’t in it for the comfort of it, irrespective of how much it costs. Gupta spells it out, “An adventure traveller is a very niche tribe who is not willing to dish out the money for a premium experience or simply doesn’t have it. While a traveller who wants a creature comforts won’t opt for an adventure experience.”  </p><p>Starting at Rs 39,999 for a two-day trail for two-people, LuxeCamper offers luxury pricing and amenities. A more spartan campervan would charge approximately Rs 15,000 but as Ramesh explains the fuel, parking fees, maintenance, and fixed costs such as road tax, certifications and insurance, the pricing barely offers a margin to gloat over. </p><p>The biggest draw of caravans is the ability to be closer to nature—that in itself is a challenge? How do you ensure that you aren’t doing damage to an already fragile eco-system? The image of exhaust fumes immediately pops up in mind along with human waste and trash. “How does one keep the carbon footprint in check, is a key point that needs to be addressed when planning a caravan tour,” Gupta points out. A well thought out and researched plan of action can address this issue.  </p><p>A caravan tour and its trail will depend upon how much the vehicle can take upon itself and how environmentally conscious a traveller and the enterprise is. Both LuxeCamper and TrippyWheels have partnered with accommodation providers for safe parking and amenities. While LuxeCamper, staying true to its name, has also gone the extra mile to be environmentally mindful and self-sustaining with solar panels, incinerator-based toilets and water storage to last two days straight. Travellers too are given guidelines to be more conscious of their surroundings and not be wasteful. </p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLMZvwkFdrE/"></oembed></figure><p>Rural and uninhabited locations come with their fair share of risks. However eclectic it may be, it’s not going to be safe to park the van along a highway to spend the night, “One would still need to look for a large town or a village where once can request permission to park and spend the night in,” says Ananth. The solution has already been outlined in the extensive guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism—caravan parks. These spaces need to have “standardisation of electricity, water and sewage connections to ensure total compatibility with Caravan specifications in India.” They also need to be at well-connected locations with proper safety and security provisions, designated parking bays and toilet facilities. “Travelling in RVs and motorhomes will remain a pipe-dream if this crucial infrastructure isn’t developed,” says Meraj Shah, a travel writer and host of WION Traveller. The factor that makes RVs so enticing is also a reason for mistrust and therefore makes caravan tourism’s success suspect. </p><p>Needless to say, thrill-seekers and intrepid travellers will be excited by something new as well as experience our country is a more inclusive way. The interest in RVs and caravans has seen a spike thanks to films such as <i>We’re The Millers</i> as well as popular culture in general. For #VanLife to get serious traction in India, the government, camper van operators and travellers need to have the same vision for its future. While authorities need to ensure ease and affordability of entering the market with a caravan tourism offering, operators need to avoid cutting corners and causing more damage to the ecosystem and the last buck lies with us, the travellers, to maintain the integrity of destinations and be conscientious.   <br><br>#VanLife ahoy! </p>

Caravans and RVs are the future of travel in India | Zee Zest

&lt;p>If you can only think of Cardi B and Nicki Minaj when you think of rap, you need to know about these Indian female rappers, who are carving a niche for themselves with their swag and struggle in the male-dominant industry. &lt;/p>&lt;p>The existing literature on the Indian hip-hop movement will offer you a bleak and fragmented view of its history; one that excludes women out of its ambit. So, if you Google about the history of hip-hop in India, the search is likely to throw up names of non-resident Indian male artistes, like Apache Indian, Bohemia and Baba Sehgal. The first mention of an Indian woman in the hip-hop industry comes with Taran Kaur Dhillon aka Hard Kaur, who came to the fore with her wildly popular single &lt;i>Ek Glassy&lt;/i> in 2007 and which went onto top the UK charts for that year.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>For many, Hard Kaur is the OG trailblazer, and as she tells us herself, “The first one to do it.” But when compared to contemporary female rappers in India – who have used their art to address burning issues around colour-prejudice and women’s rights – Hard Kaur’s music pales. For all it does is encourage you to drink, do bhangra or “Move Your Body.”  &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead0&lt;/p>&lt;p>That is not to say that Hard Kaur has not played an essential role. The playback singer, actress and rapper shares, “When I started, I was the only female hip-hop artiste, and it was much harder for me. Women always get treated as second class citizens. We are intelligent and talented, but the reason why we aren’t given opportunities is because if we are, we’ll kick everyone’s a#$.” So, in a way, artistes like her, Baba Sehgal, Apache Indian, Raftaar and Badshah – however banal and reminiscent of American hip-hop artistes of the ’90s and 2000s, who ruled MTV with their songs about riches and babes – paved the way for Indian hip-hop artistes by creating interest in Hindi-English hip-hop.   &lt;/p>&lt;h3>A change in the scene &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Then, came Divine and Naezy, two of the most famous rappers in the current Indian hip-hop scene, who – with their hard-hitting, vernacular lyrics and gully rap – helped shift focus to Desi Hip Hop, with the “scene” being further propelled when director Zoya Akhtar decided to make a Bollywood film on gully rappers who rose to fame from Mumbai’s slums. &lt;/p>&lt;p>Deepa Unnikrishnan, a Mumbai based indie female rapper, better known as Dee MC, who has garnered a lot of support in the industry and has featured briefly in the Ranveer Singh-and Alia Bhatt-starrer film, reveals that despite being well-known in the underground hip-hop movement in Mumbai, things only began looking up for her, after Gully Boy. “I am considered one of the front runners of underground hip-hop in India, and yet, I haven’t been approached by a label to date,” Dee MC laments.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Dee MC recently released her new album, Dee=MC², and has used social reform as a subject in her songs, such as with Rang, for the video for which she tied up with online make-up retail brand, Nykaa. The bilingual number, with Hindi and English lyrics, addresses dark-skin prejudice in India, pulls no punches and goes like: &lt;i>Tan ko mere kuch aisa dikhaya/ Kaali hoon main iska ehsaas dilaya/ Karti bhi kya umar bas thi panch/ Rangeen thi duniya par main lagti daag.  &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>Similarly, Mahima Dayal Mathur, a trained Hindustani classical vocalist, who goes by the moniker Bawari Basanti, isn’t an out-an-out hip-hop artiste, but sings about contemporary women in India. “I feel like there is a lot of resentment inside me from the deep-seated patriarchy that exists in our country. That is something that no movie will put a disclaimer for, no man will sing about, and no woman should ignore,” she says, adding that most of her new work will be about the idea of independence and protest.” &lt;/p>&lt;p>Like Mathur, Dee MC began classical training as a Bharatnatyam dancer at the age of five. She forayed into hip-hop culture through dance, until she, “Gradually began paying attention to the lyrics.” As someone who wrote poetry in school and danced, she says, “Rhythm came naturally to her, but struggled to find female artistes that weren’t mainstream.” &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead1&lt;/p>&lt;h3>The road to discovery &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Discovery, despite the undeniably growing intrigue in homegrown hip-hop artistes, continues to be an issue for female rappers in India. Trained in Carnatic, Bengaluru-based rapper Siri Narayan, or Siri (no, not Apple’s intelligent virtual assistant) sings in Kannada and English. Siri garnered renown after collaborating with TVF for the web-series Girlyapa’s anthem, &lt;i>Tu Bas Naach&lt;/i> and also featured in a song called Shuffle with Varun Dhawan. Highlighting the issues of discovery and representation vis-à-vis hip-hop in India and women, Siri says that many of the issues in this regard are the same as it would be in any field that is predominated by men. But particularly, “The problem with hip-hop in India is that most of the consumers are male, too. And even when I am performing, it's mostly men.”  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Siri believes that being a feminist rapper isn’t simply about having feminist content or lyrics. “For me, it’s not necessary to put feminist themes directly in my music. I also like working with women in the industry and co-creating a product by having female professionals behind the scenes, or behind the camera,” she shares. This comes through in Siri’s first video for the song, Live It, which showcases a bunch of girls having fun. “It doesn’t always have to mean something,” she asserts.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>&lt;i>Mummy, main Gully Girl &lt;/i>&lt;/h3>&lt;p>Despite all odds, however, both mainstream Indian female rappers like Hard Kaur and Rajakumari and indie artistes like Dee MC, Siri and Mc Manmeet Kaur have managed to carve a niche (and an audience) for themselves. But this success was not without initial pushback from the family.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>“They all understand it now, but sometimes my mom’s like, ‘Okay, what’s happening?’ And then, at other times, she’s curious about my projects and proud. So, she takes turns, because I think it's a cognitive dissonance for her and my career choice confuses her. My dad however is very supportive," Siri shares.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>For Dee MC, too, things kicked off on a shaky note. “I was a chartered accountant (CA) and once I discovered the hip-hop community in Mumbai, it became very clear to me that I cannot sit in a cubicle or do a 9-to-5. So, the most difficult bit was breaking the news about me quitting CA to my parents . But me doing hip-hop is something that happened naturally and gradually until I was suddenly going for international tours to the UK and Canada. I feel that they couldn’t envision the future that we saw. Five years ago, no one understood why a bunch of people were going crazy about taking hip-hop forward in India, but now, they do.” &lt;/p>&lt;p>Yes, they do. Atta girls! &lt;/p>

All you need to know about fearless female rappers in India and what it takes to be heard. 

If you ask someone about the most famous rappers in India today, chances are that most people will mention Hard Kaur, Dee MC & Mahima Dayal Mathur. Click here to know more about them. 

Female rappers who changed the hip-hop scene in India - Zee Zest

Will The Real Gully Girl Please Stand Up! 

&lt;p>Far away from the mass-produced and overly sweet bars by iconic brands in India, a bunch of homegrown craft chocolate makers are carving out their identity with high-quality cacao, a wide palate of unique flavours, small batches and loads of passion. Focused on transparency and sustainability, bean-to-bar is a long, arduous process where these chocolate makers use locally-sourced raw cacao beans that are roasted, winnowed and ground, in a controlled environment to transform into a delectable chocolate bar. These chocolate bars are also infused with local, seasonal ingredients to create concoctions that speak for themselves. Dark chocolate with bhut jholokia chilli and Himalayan pink salt, a zero-sugar milk chocolate with glazed ginger and vegan dark chocolate with black sesame – you’ll be amazed how much they can do with regional and local ingredients.&lt;/p>&lt;p>The bean-to-bar movement in India goes back to 2014. It was kick-started by two brands, Naviluna (then Earth Loaf) in Mysore and Mason & Co. in Puducherry. In the new decade, we are at 15 (and counting) such chocolate makers who are dedicated to producing good-quality and preservative-free chocolate for all ages. &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead1&lt;/p>&lt;p>Here, we bring to you our pick of the best craft chocolate brands in the country. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>1. Pascati &lt;/h3>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLGvIZXp3nR/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>India’s first USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) certified organic and fairtrade compliant chocolate maker, Pascati was founded by restaurant manager-turned-chocolatier and entrepreneur Devansh Asher. Asher’s tryst with chocolate began in early 2014 and curious to know more, he enrolled himself in a three-month online chocolate-making course. After a year of polishing his skills, experimenting with flavours and delving deeper into the Indian cacao, he launched Pascati in 2015. Social responsibility is at the core of everything Pascati does. The brand sources its beans from farmer’s collectives in Kerala’s Idukki and Malabar regions, which means livelihood for 2000+ farmers, and, over the last five years, has developed 14 different types of chocolate. &lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Must try: Saffron pistachio dark &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Where to buy: www.pascati.com &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;h3>2. Mason & Co. &lt;/h3>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFytgoxp68E/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>Organic, vegan and raw, this single-origin chocolate brand was founded in Auroville, Puducherry by Jane Mason and Fabien Bontems, a lawyer and a sound engineer, respectively. It began in 2014, when Mason, a vegan, saw a dearth of good chocolate brands in the country. Mason and Bontems started by making small batches for themselves at home and assessing the flavour and quality of local cacao beans. Soon, their chocolate became popular among friends and family, which eventually motivated the duo to go from a home lab to an artisan factory and launch Mason & Co. They have an all-women team (except Bontems) who work with beans sourced from certified organic farms in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to make chocolate bars that are free of preservatives and emulsifiers. Mason & Co. products come wrapped in elegant cardboard boxes with a coloured band that denotes flavour. Espresso dark chocolate, natural coconut milk and dark chocolate with peanut butter are a few of the flavours on offer here. &lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Must try: Black Sesame and Raisin Dark Chocolate &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Where to buy: www.masonchocolate.com&lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;h3>3. Naviluna &lt;/h3>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKxa7DkJ4up/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>Formerly known as Earth Loaf, Naviluna is one of the pioneers of craft chocolate in India. It is helmed by British mixologists-turned-entrepreneurs David Belo and Angelika Anangnostou. The bean-to-bar chocolate brand was founded in 2012 and it focuses on keeping it as raw and simple as possible -- they neither roast their single-origin cacao beans nor add butter to their chocolate. The duo believes the lack of roasting preserves its natural benefits and adds a distinct flavour profile to the final product. Just like most bean-to-bar brands, Naviluna’s chocolates are small batch and features offbeat flavour combinations such as jackfruit and black pepper, red capsicum and chilli, and Blue Tokai coffee and pineapple.&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Must try: Gondhoraj and Apricot Bar &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Where to buy: naviluna.in&lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;h3>4. Soklet &lt;/h3>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCsn8TbpAdI/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>Soklet takes the bean-to-bar concept a notch higher by growing their own cacao beans. It is owned by brothers-in-law Karthikeyan Palanisamy and Harish Manoj Kumar and the entire process, from breeding cacao trees to chocolate making and packaging, takes place at their set-up located on the foothills of the Anamalai Hills in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu. Soklet's offerings, including dark and milk varieties paired with interesting ingredients such as hibiscus, desi rabdi and spice, come wrapped in an equally interesting packaging that is inspired by Kanjeevaram sari borders. The founding duo also sells cooking chocolate made from their plantation's beans under the brand name Regal Chocolate.&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Must try: 70% dark chocolate with Bhot Jolokia chilli and Himalayan pink salt &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Where to buy: soklet.in&lt;/i> &lt;/p>&lt;h3>5. Kocoatrait &lt;/h3>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGp5efap8mj/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>In 2014, when L Nitin Chordia went on a study trip to Belgium, he realised the potential of Indian cacao beans. At the same time, he also got introduced to the concept of bean-to-bar chocolate. Once back, he spent approximately five years educating enthusiasts about the entire process of chocolate-making until he was ready to launch Kocoatrait. Started in October 2019, Kocoatrait is for people who want to binge on quality chocolate but also save the environment. The brand claims to be a zero-waste product, meaning its packaging is made using eco-friendly materials like cotton waste and cacao shells. Most of their products are vegan and are sweetened using khandsari sugar from Uttar Pradesh. Apart from chocolate bars, they also sell bon bons, cocoa powder and cocoa nibs. Apart from chocolate bars, they also sell bon bons, cocoa powder and cocoa nibs. &lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Must try: Coconut and Cinnamon Chocolate &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Where to buy: cocoatrait.com&lt;/i>&lt;/p>

These craft chocolate makers are creating concoctions that speak for themselves.

Here is a list of bean to bar chocolate brands in India that you must try. 

Best Artisanal Chocolate Brands in India | Food | Zee Zest

Bean-To-Bar Chocolates that are Raising the Bar in India

&lt;p>For the desi turmeric latte guzzling and makhana snacking #VSCO girl, the perfect wedding comes with shades of green. Not the seven sins variety, but an environmentally-friendly wedding that seals the biggest day of your life with love for Mother earth too.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>The big fat Indian wedding is a dream for every Indian girl who has grown up on a steady diet of blingy Bollywood rom-com. But the hottest trend, right now, is to have an eco-friendly wedding, which despite being extravagant is also mindful.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Compostable confetti, seed paper cards, potted plants and vintage Cadillacs, we have rounded up expert advice on how to plan an eco-friendly wedding in an era of over-consumption and wastefulness. Try one or all of these small changes to make a big impact on your wedding day. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>1. Going green with food &lt;/h3>&lt;p>From carefully choosing eco-friendly cutlery to reducing food wastage at your wedding buffet, , a green wedding is one where you are conscious of food consumption, while minimising waste. &lt;/p>&lt;p>Look for wedding caterers who focus on local, sustainable, and seasonal cuisine. Chef Sidney Dcunha, Executive Chef, Conrad Pune says, “From using fresh organic produce from local farms in Pune to eco-friendly bamboo or coconut cutlery, we have stopped using plastic in all forms and are moving to paper as a substitute.” That said, using porcelain and other reusable crockery continues to be an evergreen and ever-so-elegant option for an eco-friendly wedding. Another suggestion he gives is to associate with NGO’s and orphanages where the untouched excess food can be donated. &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead0&lt;/p>&lt;h3>2. Dig out family heirlooms &lt;/h3>&lt;p>If Kareena Kapoor Khan could wear her mother-in-law, Sharmila Tagore Pataudi’s heirloom sharara on her wedding, so can you. Upcycle your silken threads or heirloom pieces to give them a new lease of life!  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Rather than splashing out big bucks on designer wear that you will wear once in your lifetime, repurpose some of the exquisite couture owned by your parents or grandparents. The same applies to jewellery; nothing better than precious vintage  baubles which are passed down from one generation to another to add a touch of timeless elegance to your wedding trousseau.  &lt;/p>&lt;p> &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="image">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Go-Green-Wedding-Heirloom-Jewellery_1612345722676.jpg" alt="sustainable wedding green wedding heirloom jewellery">&lt;/figure>&lt;p>If you’ve rummaged through your mother’s closets and found nothing suitable to wear for your wedding or reception, Chaithanya Ganesha, CEO and Director of Bangalore-based eco-friendly wedding planner Panigrahana, suggests that you can rent clothes and jewellery from several new-age fashion rental websites or pick separates to mix and match with what’s in your closet.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>From being budget-friendly to saving you the hassle of hunting for the perfect outfit, companies such as Stage3, The Stylease, Rent It Bae and Flyrobe offer several options and packages to choose your designer togs for D-Day. What more? They also offer curated looks from bespoke designer wear along with trails and alterations to make your selection process smooth.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>If you want to buy something new, then try and find local brands which are eco-friendly, naturally dyed, handmade, and that support artisan communities, says Nilma Dileepan of Bangalore-based green wedding and event Design Company, With Love, Nilma. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>3. An E-vite or seed paper invitation&lt;/h3>&lt;p>In the digital age, a beautifully designed e-vite followed by a personal phone call or visit are socially acceptable when it comes to wedding invitations. But if you do want to send out invites the traditional way, then choose recycled paper or seed paper which can be later be replanted by wetting the green wedding invitations and throwing them in the soil. Also make sure to use only vegetable dyes for printing.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>4. An animal-free wedding &lt;/h3>&lt;p>The groom comes astride a horse and for pomp and show, a couple of elephants amble on in the background for a baarat is a commonplace sight. But like royalty, these are anachronisms in modern day times. Rather than continuing these outdated practices, Ganesha recommends you to hire a vintage car or a fancy bike, all decked up with bells and whistles, and rev up to the mandap in style. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>5. 4 R’s of wedding décor &lt;/h3>&lt;p>When it comes to décor, Dileepan suggests picking elegant set-ups rather than blingy throwaways. Bring in the ‘grammable chalkboard and cutesy mason jars, which can be reused. She recommends to reuse drapes, lighting, wooden décor and furniture, rather than build new iron thrones.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Reduce the use of flowers, which should be locally sourced. Rather than using cut flowers for bouquets or garlands, you can use flower pots at the venue, especially as centerpieces on tables. She also recommends donating flowers to NGOs or organisations that use them to make holi colours or agarbattis. Check out companies like Phool and Green Wave.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Recycling is a must post the wedding: the flowers and wasted food can be composted or given to a bio-gas plant.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>And finally, refuse anything that is not eco-friendly, after all it is your wedding and you can choose what you want!  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>6. Location, location, location &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Rather than running helter-skelter from one venue in the city to another, a single venue will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but also enable you to save on expenses for the décor. Work with the location itself; if its outdoors, try and fit tables under the shade.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Choose great weather for your eco-friendly wedding, thus you can enjoy the outdoors and reduce your carbon footprint, without the air-conditioning or heating in full blast.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>You’ll score a big win if you host a function during the day, scoring big on the natural light for photographs and reducing the gas-guzzling generators.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>7. Get rid of plastic &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Those pesky plastic bottles have created mountains of waste in our cities and are threatening to choke our oceans. Choose glass bottles instead and keep steel or glass tumblers to cut down on your plastic-footprint.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>8. The party favours &lt;/h3>&lt;p>You’re grateful for your bestie in California for having swung half way around the world to be a part of your wedding. So, how can you not gift her a wedding favour? For the travelling crew, a potted plant and seeds will not be practical, so think of something edible, such as mithai from a local halwai or recycled stationery.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>A growing number of brides also choose to donate to their favourite charity instead of giving away favours. An elegantly tacked up sign board announcing the same will be much appreciated. &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead1&lt;/p>&lt;h3>9. Go easy on the photo albums &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Yes, we know you want this day to be well documented. But there is no need for fifteen albums of each of your wedding functions and 1000s of printed images in this wired world. One wedding album for the couple is sufficient, and you can enjoy all your pictures saved on the cloud, they’re just a swipe away. &lt;/p>&lt;p>A small simple wedding by the beach. Or a quiet ceremony in the temple. Your big day should be exactly as you dreamed, and there is nothing more than being surrounded by your loved ones for this occasion. But you can choose how big or small you want it to be. And how gentle you want to be with the Mother Nature which gives so much to you, including infinite love.  &lt;/p>

Throwing an environmentally friendly wedding does not mean you have to do away the dreams of a grand wedding. Zee Zest got specialists to show you 9 ways to have a green wedding. 

How to plan an eco-friendly wedding - Zee Zest

Wedding

&lt;p>Scrolling down contenders of the Word of the Year title by Oxford Dictionary, in the last decade, scarcely scores any confidence in modern day living. Consider these words: climate emergency, climate crisis, eco-anxiety, ecocide and global heating, to name a few. It’s enough to make any VSCO girl scream and discard her bamboo toothbrush, run straight for the hills. But worry not, we speak to experts who help us embrace slow living and a sustainable lifestyle in the first year of the new decade, one doable step at a time. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Going Farm-To-Fork Gracefully &lt;/h3>&lt;p>The Netflix documentary Game Changers threw the spotlight on the latest edible movement of going plant-based. But whether you are a meat eater, flexitarian, pescatarian or vegan, there are habits that will help you embrace a holistic diet going ahead. We speak to Delhi-based Radhika Khandelwal, Chef-Owner at Fig & Maple and Ivy & Bean, who shares some insights: “The coming decade promises to be one where people will be more conscious about what they eat, how they eat it, and where they procure what they eat from.” &lt;/p>&lt;h4>1. Grow your own produce&lt;/h4>&lt;p>So what if you don’t have a lovely garden? Use your kitchen window sill or balcony for herbs or spices for a bit of home farming. Think lettuce, chillies, spinach, carrots, even beetroots, and herbs such as oregano, basil and parsley. Then you can season your cauliflower and vegan cheese pizza with herbs and tomatoes plucked straight from your flower pots. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>2. Swap a mainstream ingredient&lt;/h4>&lt;p>An easy food swap (like rice or wheat) with an ingredient that's more diverse (like millet, barley, or buckwheat). This will help you stave off possible allergies due to GMOs, and eat locally grown, ethnic produce while supporting marginal farmers. As far as possible, try and choose organic, non-GMO grains.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>3. Source produce consciously&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Elbow your way to the local farmers’ market that are sprouting up across Indian cities to choose  from the beautiful, knobbly irregular-shaped produce that is fresh and straight from the soil without sweating over the airmiles. It’s time to ditch the perfectly shaped and polished veggies in supermarkets. Don’t forget to carry your own shopping bag with you! &lt;/p>&lt;h4>4. Preserve food&lt;/h4>&lt;p>According to John-Hopkins medicine, there is a very pertinent connection between the mind and the gut. Rather than guzzling down probiotics, why not chomp on gut friendly foods? Khandelwal recommends using techniques like pickling, fermenting, jamming, etc., to get all the good microbes in your tummy doing their bit. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>5. Eat the rainbow!&lt;/h4>&lt;p> “A diverse diet is good for the body and good for the planet!” says Khandelwal. Add generous servings of fruits and vegetables across the colour spectrum on your plate, giving you different vitamins, minerals and fibre, while being low in fat and calories. &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead0 &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Travelling Responsibly &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Tourism is known to leave a big, fat indelible footprint across earth. But it doesn’t have to be that way. A lot of tourists are becoming aware about their carbon footprint and environmental impact. In fact, reports state that around 38 per cent of Indians will adopt slow travel this year.  &lt;br>Shivya Nath, Author, Blogger and Founder of The Shooing Star, and responsible traveller, set out on her first solo trip in 2011. “In the age of over tourism and in the midst of a climate crisis, responsible tourism is not just a pressing need to protect the incredible natural and cultural heritage of our world, but is also the only way we can still find authentic experiences, engage meaningfully with locals and savour the pristine beauty (or what remains of it) on our planet,” says Nath. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>6. Expand the travel narrative&lt;/h4>&lt;p>We need to transform our guide-book driven travel narrative and embrace something experiential. “We need to expand travel to experiences that stimulate us and move away from the peer pressure of seeing or doing something just because it’s marketed as THE thing to do,” she says. So, the next time you decide a holiday, look at a food experience, the art, the music and culture of a region, rather than vying for a selfie at the ‘in’ spot. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>7. Go off season or choose countries off the beaten track&lt;/h4>&lt;p> Avoid being one of the sweaty hoard of tourists that arrives at a tourist destination during peak season when countless others descend as well. Shimla’s water crisis two years ago is a scary reminder of tourism’s negative impact on a destination. “The most practical tip to fix this imbalance is to prioritise countries or regions where locals are still genuinely curious to meet travellers, and can still reap the positive benefits of tourism,” says Nath. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>8. Opt for eco-friendly, local-run accommodations&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Nath, who has stayed in tiny boutique gems such as The Secret Garden in Goa and Sarmoli in Uttarakhand says, “Staying at eco-friendly homes has enabled me to experience the local culture beyond the tourist track, immerse myself in nature, interact with locals doing meaningful work in the area and gain an understanding of the unique circumstances of the people I’m visiting.” &lt;/p>&lt;h4>9. Walk, cycle or take public transport&lt;/h4>&lt;figure class="image image-style-align-left">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Slow-Living-inside-1_1612345798858.jpg" alt="Slow Living Slow Travel Cycling">&lt;/figure>&lt;p>While you can be awfully tempted to jump in the next Uber when you’re on vacation, Nath recommends you slow down and smell the roses, enjoy scenic locales and reduce your carbon footprint. This is the most immersive way to discover a new city. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Building a Sustainable Home&lt;/h3>&lt;p>Our homes are sanctuaries in a world plagued by busy-ness. In the times of Marie Kondo, a clutter-free home not only keeps good energy flowing, it frees up resources for you to spend on something much more valuable: experiences. Jenny Pinto, Founder of Oorjaa, a design studio that handcrafts sustainable materials into lighting solutions, tells us how to go green at home and incorporate sustainable living practices.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>10. Be mindful of your purchases&lt;/h4>&lt;p>“Do I really need this?” Pinto asks you to question every purchase, however enticing—home theatre, laptop, cooking stove, and wine cooler. She advises the same restraint when you want to throw something away. “Many things can be recycled, repurposed or restored creatively,” she says. Dispose rubble and household items properly. Rubble can be used to landscape the gardens, or even something innovative like building a feature wall.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>11. An intelligent home design &lt;/h4>&lt;p>Living within four walls can be restrictive, so if you have the privilege to build or reconstruct your own home, Pinto advises you to design an energy efficient home. Account for ventilation to reduce the use of an AC. Bring in natural light into your home through windows. Add solar heaters and switch to LED bulbs. And finally, add a composting system and use water saving devices in your home.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>In the Pink of Health&lt;/h3>&lt;p>With stress, lifestyle diseases and depression on the rise, the popularity of holistic healing and wellness is understandable. Managing stress through yoga, meditation and pranayama, and turning inwards can enrich your outer world faster than any blingy bauble. Dr. Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, Director, The Yoga Institute, the world’s oldest yoga organisation, tells us to make changes slowly, rather than suddenly and based on the latest fads in glossies. She says, “Always follow what your body is comfortable with. Yoga says to be with yourself, understand yourself. Observe which food suits you and which doesn’t, which routine suits you and which doesn’t and make your life accordingly.” &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="image image_resized" style="width:900px;">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Slow-Living-inside-2_1612345816286.jpg" alt="Slow Living Yoga ">&lt;/figure>&lt;h4>12. Eat home-cooked and fresh food&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Focus on ‘Ahar’ eating four times a day, she says. Food needs to be enjoyed, without skipping any meal (breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner). Drink liquids while eating and focus your awareness not only on what you are eating, but also how much.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>13. Rest and Recreation with a dose of discipline&lt;/h4>&lt;p>A healthy dose of ‘Achar’ or discipline is essential in modern day living where you laze around in the bed past noon on the weekends, or binge watch Netflix the whole day in PJs. “Discipline solves half your problems,” she explains. Add to that some ‘Vihar’ or rest and recreation, says Jayadeva Yogendra, whether it is sports thrice a week, a good stretch with yoga, or a refreshing walk in the neighbourhood park.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>14. Food for thought&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Think positive thoughts, remain calm and composed in every situation for a balanced state of mind. Meditate. Sit with yourself alone each day for some time, analyse where you are and where you want to go and work towards your goal.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Embracing Clean Beauty&lt;/h3>&lt;p>With pictures for the ‘gram and social media having exploded to the stratosphere, naturally looking good is paramount. But in our polluted cities, is there a gentler way of looking good without another layer of chemicals? DIY masks, face scrubs and other grandmother’s recipes are soaring in popularity, so before you reach for the turmeric latte, slather some of the fresh tuber on your face. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>15. Protect your skin with layers&lt;/h4>&lt;p>“Pollution is the biggest aggressor of skin issues that causes inflammation, damages collagen, disrupts the skin barrier, and consequently accelerates ageing,” says Nandeeta Manchandaa, the founder of Enn's Closet. Therefore, it’s important to create a protective layer with a toner, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen to form a barely-there yet efficient barrier between the pollutants and skin. Manchandaa recommends people switch to natural, safe and chemical free products, so that the harmful ingredients don’t penetrate into the bloodstream and cause harm in the long run.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>16. Embrace ancient tools&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Whether it is a kansa massage wand, a jade roller or Gua-sha, there are ample traditional beauty tools you can add to your arsenal to give you skin a lift, without resorting to invasive, painful procedures. “These tools offer a holistic approach to beauty and wellness, firmly rooted in their respective cultures. This traditional system believes in prevention and daily tending, helping in regular detox to prevent the onset of disease” says Rajni Ohri, founder of Ohria Ayurveda, which has created the Tridoshic Kansa skin massage wand for clean beauty warriors. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>17. Substitute chemicals with DIY&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Instead of slathering on a body wash with micro beads, use a gram flour and masoor dal ubtan. In place of chemical filled shampoos, use a mixture of &lt;i>amla, reetha&lt;/i> and &lt;i>shikakhai&lt;/i>. Eschew moisturisers, and rather slather on some body oil. The internet is full of granny’s beauty tips, so log on to glean wisdom from our ancestors, with proper precaution.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Consume Fashion Responsibly&lt;/h3>&lt;p>The $2.5 trillion fashion industry is touted as the second most polluting industry in the world, accounting for more than eight per cent of the global climate impact, more than the airline and shipping sector. So, before you click on the buy button for your next fast fashion purchase, stop and think of how you’re impacting the planet.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>18. Embrace smaller, slow fashion labels&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Buy slow fashion labels, which follow ethical practices and are gentle on earth. However, balance consumption by deliberating over every purchase. And if you buy one, give two pre-loved clothes away. “Being conscious of your consumption and buying lesser but better makes you want to automatically pick up clothing that has a story behind it, because you know it’s going to be in your wardrobe for a long time” says Natasha Tyagi Sachdeva, founder and Head of Design and Creatives, Taaka Clothing. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>19. Host clothes and accessories swapping parties&lt;/h4>&lt;p>When you don’t want to repeat an outfit (blame it on social media!), rather than discard it or stuff it at the back of your cupboard, host a clothes swapping party, where you and your friends and siblings can refresh their wardrobes, while it being easy on the pocket, says Tanya Jain, founder of slow fashion label, Pasithea. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>20. Refresh your old clothes&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Give a new lease of life to old clothes says Tyagi Sachdeva, who adds small badges or hand embroiders small hearts, stars or contrast stitch-lines on her old clothes to give them a wee pop. “I also love getting my clothes re-dyed to give them a new life,” says the designer, who also rushes to the &lt;i>darzi &lt;/i>to patch clothes together to remake them with patches or repurpose them.  &lt;/p>

<p>From nature and adventure to culture and cuisine, there’s something for everyone on this list. </p><h3>1. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh </h3><p>The Northeast of India continues to be a top draw for Indian travellers. Sabina Chopra, Co-Founder and COO, Yatra.com recommends Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. “Home to a famous 400-year-old monastery and the birthplace of Dalai Lama, this stunning place is also known for its Madhuri Lake, Penga Teng Tso Lake, Sela Pass and Tipi Orchid Sanctuary. For a getaway from the scorching summer heat, this is one of the best places to visit in the month of April,” she says. Also visit Ziro to witness Myoko, a unique friendship festival (usually mid to end March) celebrated by the eight Apatani tribes in the valley. </p><h3>2. Little known nooks of Goa </h3><p>Been there, done that, right? But there’s more to Goa than its beach shacks and party vibe. Instead of guzzling endless beers, dive into a cultural experience. Try the sunshine state’s favourite drink feni, a funky fermented spirit made from cashew apple. Better yet, visit the world’s only feni cellar at Cazulo Premium Feni Distillery. The owner Hansel Vaz will you show you around his collection of antique garrafãoes, glass bottles used for storing feni. Stay back for a feni tasting followed by a local Goan dinner. The next day, explore some charming, heritage Indo-Portuguese mansions—the opulent 16th-century Figueiredo Mansion crammed with vintage furniture is a must-visit, as is the vast and airy, riverside Palácio do Deão that was built in 1787. </p><h3>3. Gushaini, Himachal Pradesh </h3><p>Explore Himachal Pradesh beyond the usual Shimla, Kullu and Manali circuit. Devendra Parulekar, Founder, SaffronStays recommends Gushaini, a quaint and serene village in the Tirthan Valley. “Just 1.5 hours from Kullu airport, it is perfect if you wish to forgo the conventional Himachal Pradesh itinerary,” he says. The state is also high on the list for winter travel. “Currently there is immense interest from guests to experience snow, so destinations such as Mashobra are in demand,” adds Amit Damani, Co-Founder, Vista Rooms.  </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h3>4. Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Kerala </h3><p>God’s Own Country is always in vogue, Kerala ranked at No. 18 in Airbnb’s 20 trending destinations (worldwide) for 2020. Its cultural capital, Kochi, has also features as one of the top 10 cities on Lonely Planet’s annual Best in Travel list. One reason to visit is the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, one of the largest contemporary art festivals in Asia – expect colourful street art, cool installations, and more. After soaking in the art, head into Kerala’s lush countryside. Daniel D’Souza, President and Country Head Leisure, SOTC Travel recommends Kumarakom “for its expanse of paddy fields, a network of backwaters, delicious local cuisine, and traditional kettuvallam or houseboats”.</p><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Visit-india-Maheshwar-MP-inside_1612379215931_thumb_800.jpeg" alt="Maheshwar Madhya Pradesh"></figure><h3>5. Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh </h3><p>The ‘heart of India’ is an ideal destination for the culture traveller. Divyakshi  Gupta, a Mumbai-based travel blogger suggests visiting Maheshwar. “With its exceptionally clean ghats, Shiva temples, intricate architecture and <i>jharokhas</i> that gave glimpses of River Narmada, this humble city offered so much more than I expected. For me the highlights were the meditative boat ride along a very clean Narmada, and meeting the women weavers who weave the famous Maheshwari silk saris,” she says. She recommends visiting Labboo’z Café near Shri Maheshwar Fort for home cooked meals under a canopy of trees. </p><h3>6. Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur </h3><p>Manipur is an underrated gem in Northeast India offering everything from adventure travel (e.g. a canoe ride inside Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world's only floating wildlife park) to sampling tribal cuisines and exploring the state’s vast textile heritage. “The Meitei community is known for the finest silk gauze with abstract floral patterns hand-woven by the women around Bishnapur district,” says Julie Kagti, Founder, Curtain Call Adventures, a boutique travel company that curates cultural trips to the Northeast. She also recommends visiting villages of the Rongmei community who use back-strap looms and create intricate patterns without tracing or marking, just using patterns passed on from mothers to daughters. </p><h3>7. Bhubaneswar, Odisha </h3><p>For serious foodies, Odisha is the place to be. “Odisha as a travel destination has been barely explored, and its cuisine and culture are highly underrepresented. With traditions that go back hundreds of years, Odisha has a unique identity distinct from its neighbouring states, offering sights, sounds, eats and experiences you will not find anywhere else in India”, says Thomas Zacharias, ex-Chef Partner at The Bombay Canteen and O Pedro restaurants in Mumbai. He recommends the unassuming Kaka Hotel inside Ekamra Haat in Bhubaneswar, which offers an elaborate lunch thali with dishes such as  <i>aloo chakata, mutton jhola, machha besara</i>, and <i>ghanta tartkari</i> cooked in a homely style at an affordable price. </p><h3>8. Jawai, Rajasthan </h3><p>Rajasthan is a perennial favourite on any India travel list; the blue city of Jodhpur marked India’s only presence on the annual New York Times 52 Places list for 2020. But step outside the main cities (their regal charm notwithstanding) to get up, close and personal with the big cats. Travel writer Charukesi Ramadurai suggests visiting Jawai where leopard conservation is the strongest in India. “It is not a national park with defined limits, the leopards roam more or less freely on the hills, part of the Aravallis,” she says. Ramadurai recommends staying at the boutique Bera Safari Lodge, which offers wildlife safaris with experienced leopard trackers. </p><h3>9. Deorital Chandrashila, Uttarakhand</h3><p>No India travel list is complete without a Himalayan trek! Uttarakhand has several scenic treks, some of which are suitable for beginner-level trekkers. India Hikes recommends the 6-day long Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek, which is rather rewarding as you see all the major summits in Uttarakhand. The trek has one of the best forest trails that is especially spectacular in spring when the rhododendrons blossom. March-May and September-December are the best times for this trek.  </p><h3>10. Shantiniketan, West Bengal </h3><p>Just 165km north of Kolkata, Shantiniketan is quintessential Bengal. “The red earth, the utopian concept of global university or Visva-Bharati set up by Rabindranath Tagore, and the constant pursuit to uphold their cultural heritage make this Bengal town unique,” says Amrita Das, Photo Editor, RoundGlass Sustain (a media repository of India’s natural world). Tagore started the tradition of Basanta Utsav, an annual festival when the university students perform songs and dances to welcome spring. Das also recommends visiting Lipi Biswas’s Studio Boner Pukur Danga to buy beautifully crafted ceramic pottery made of Shantiniketan’s red earth. </p>

<p>If your gram isn't bursting with pictures of your friends and fam skiing down the snow-clad slopes of Kashmir, have you even made it to 2021? </p><p>According to reports, with the sheer volume of tourists arriving in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three months of 2021, since the snow fall began, the valley is set to break the record of last three years. Now if you are too late to make the bookings for your ski expedition this winter, here's the perfect Kashmir itinerary that will have you come back the next season. While thousands visit the picturesque Kashmir valley through the year, not many spend enough time to do justice to the gem that the city of Srinagar is.</p><p>On landing at the Sheikh ul-Alam airport, most spend only a day or two in Srinagar before they head off to the snow-clad meadows of Gulmarg and Pahalgam or embark on a long road trip to Ladakh, managing to tick off the most famous and photographed spots on the tourist map.</p><p>Beyond the Mughal Gardens of Shalimar and Nishat, a short boat ride on the Dal lake, a momentary glimpse of the hallowed Hazratbal Dargah and the twin spots Pari Mahal and Chashme Shahi, the other historic and beautiful parts of Srinagar remains largely unseen and unexplored.</p><p>Next time you happen to be in Srinagar, try something that is out of the ordinary.</p><h3>1. A shikara ride into the India’s very own floating market</h3><p>Shrug off the laziness and wake up well before dawn. Head straight to the Dal and take a 60-minute shikara ride through the local canals to Zujilangkar in Rainawari in the innermost areas of the lake to watch vegetable traders on small canoes buying and selling their produce on the floating vegetable market. While not as big as the world’s other famous floating markets -- Cai Rang in Vietnam and Damnoen Saduak of Thailand -- it’s an adventure to see about five dozen boatmen haggle and bargain for tomatoes, cucumbers and nadru (lotus roots, a local delicacy). Most of the vegetables are grown on the floating algae and leaves and do not touch the ground till they are plucked.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Shikara-ride-Floating-Market_1613559570880.jpg" alt=""><figcaption>Fresh vegetables being sold at the floating market on Dal Lake.</figcaption></figure><p>The floating market can be elusive – these traders gather before dawn and disappear in an hour as soon as the sun rises. Within minutes, there is no hint left that the market ever existed. So make sure you reach around 5 am in the summer months and by 7am in winters. </p><h3>2. A decadent breakfast at Ali Kadal </h3><p>From Rainawari, a short auto ride (about 3km) will take you to Ali Kadal (Kadal means 'bridge' in Kashmiri). Every year, as autumn nears the end, Zahoor Ahmed Bhat opens his small hole-in-the wall shop and starts preparing Harissa, a local breakfast delicacy made of lamb meat that makes the freezing winter morning a pleasure to experience.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Zahoor-Ahmed-Bhat-prepares-Harissa-at-his-Ali-Kadal-shop-inside_1613559600961.jpg" alt=""><figcaption>Zahoor Ahmed Bhat prepares fresh harissa at his Ali Kadal shop.</figcaption></figure><p>Zahoor, a fourth-generation Harissa cook in a family that has been in the business for than 150 years, takes a full night to prepare the high-calorie dish, several hours going into separating the meat from the bones, mincing it with rice and cooking it with fennel seeds, garlic, cinnamon and cardamom. Once the preparation is taken off the wood fire after 10 hours, it is garnished with a ladle-full of burning mustard oil and served along with <i>tsot </i>(Kashmiri roti) and <i>noon chai</i> (salted tea). While the aroma and taste of the dish is enticing, Zahoor himself advises his customers to refrain from the third helping – an urban legend has it that centuries ago, an Afghan governor of Kashmir liked the dish so much that he over-ate it to death. Zahoor opens his shop around 5 am and once he exhausts his stock serving the long queues of locals and sending over packed harissa to families across Srinagar, he shuts shop well before 9 am.</p><p>Those visiting Srinagar in summer will not get an opportunity to hunt down this Harissa and have to make do with other regular breakfast – Kashmiri bread with eggs or halwa – at small stalls across the neighbourhood.</p><h3>3. Making a wish at the Sufi shrines </h3><p>If you have ever scrolled down any Kashmiri’s Instagram wall, you have probably seen a glimpse of Khanqah-e-Moula, the first mosque that was built in the valley. Constructed in 1395 in the memory of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani, who is credited to have brought Islam from Persia to the Valley, the mosque has withstood the test of time, surviving a few devastating fires over the centuries.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_A-little-girl-at-Dastgir-Saib-inside_1613560249117.jpg" alt=""><figcaption>A little girl praying at Dastgeer Sahib.</figcaption></figure><p>Forget the controversy — some historians say a Kali temple was demolished to build the mosque — buy some corn outside and feed the thousands of pigeons that walk the courtyard of the mosque. Speak with the kids who call the mosque their home before you walk around it and find the calm Jhelum flowing alongside. Spend a few minutes or hours inside, on the magnificent carpets amid the majestic pillars under the grand chandeliers. Do not forget to make a wish… mine has come true. Getting out, you may want to walk a few hundred metres across Zaina Kadal to Patthar Masjid for a majestic view of Khanqah from across the Jhelum. Do not get unnerved by the sight of army men with automatic guns and walk another mile to Dastgeer Sahib. Built 215 years ago, it does not have a very long history like Khanqah, though this too was ravaged in a fire in 2012. The colourful stained glass windows and the historic books make for wonderful pictures, the calm and peace you find inside is only a bonus.</p><h3>4. Walking and shopping in Sheher-e-Khaas</h3><p>As you roam between the shrines of the Old City, also known as Sheher-e-Khaas and Downtown, take some time to shop like the locals do. The 70-odd localities inside Downtown – the city’s most densely populated area, accommodating almost 60% of its population -- is known for copperware and you’ll find fabulous glasses, samowars (traditional jugs), tramis (plates) with intricate carvings at prices that you would not believe. Most of these are handmade in little workshops set up inside people’s homes.</p><p>Downtown is also known for impeccably crafted silverware, leather products — bags, purses, jackets caps — and factories and wholesale dealers of dry fruits, saffron, spices, shawls, carpets, papier-mache, and all these are available at far lesser prices than you would pay at touristy shops near the Dal or along Residency Road.</p><h3>5. Snacking at the cool cafes</h3><figure class="image image_resized image-style-align-left" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Cafe-interior-Kashmir-inside_1614171950799.jpg"><figcaption>Check out Chai Jaai tearoom for a taste of Himalayan trout.</figcaption></figure><p>The long walk and shopping spree will do well to settle the morning’s Harissa binging and early afternoon would be a perfect time to visit one of the cool cafes around. The city may not have a bustling nightlife, but the cafes and tea rooms more than compensate for it. Srinagar boasts of an eclectic mix of cafes—from the quaint to the themed. There is the picture-postcard Chai Jaai, an Insta hotspot tearoom with vibrant décor, exquisite tea sets, on the Bund along the Jhelum. Try the Himalayan trout for a late lunch or go for Harissa if you missed it at Ali Kadal. Even if you are not hungry, go for <i>sheermal </i>(a saffron flavoured traditional bread served with seasoned dates) and <i>kehwa </i>(kashmiri tea) poured from steaming hot samovars.</p><p>For web series fans, <i>Game of Thrones </i>meets Kashmiriyat at Winterfell Café across the Dal. The brightly painted interiors are adorned with GoT-related posters and artwork and it even has a life-size Iron Throne that you could pose on. Cersei would have loved this place in the north! </p>

Go for the snow-capped vistas but stay for the charming floating market, sufi shrines, and the old world charm of Sheher-e-Khaas.  

The Beauty of Pahalgam

Pahalgam

Read this if you are planning a trip to Kashmir during winter. For more such travel stories, read Zeezest.com. 