October 20, 2022

Cultural Tourism in India

Unesco Cultural Heritage Thanjavur temple

India offers the best experiential tourism, with immersive India tours and world-class yoga retreat places, allowing visitors to connect deeply with the rich cultural heritage, diversity, and way of life. Experience the best of India by engaging with the local culture and traditions.

In this article, we will explore the best experiential travel destinations in India and why they should be on your must-visit list.

What is Cultural tourism?

Cultural tourism involves visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other destinations to experience a culture’s customs, traditions, and artistic offerings. It can include visits to historical sites, museums, art galleries, music and dance performances, festivals, and other cultural events. Cultural tourism provides a unique and enriching experience for travellers, while also supporting the preservation of cultural heritage and contributing to the local economy.

Why is Cultural tourism important?

Cultural tourism is important for travellers as it offers a unique and enriching experience. Exploring a new culture allows us to broaden our perspectives and gain a better understanding of the world around us. It provides an opportunity to learn about different customs, traditions, and ways of life. Additionally, cultural tourism allows us to appreciate the art, history, and architecture of a particular region. By immersing ourselves in a different culture, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and beauty of our world.

How does travel help cultural change?

Travel helps cultural change by promoting cultural exchange, tolerance, and understanding. When people travel to different destinations, they are exposed to new customs, traditions, and ways of life. This exposure can lead to a greater appreciation and respect for diversity, which can ultimately lead to positive cultural change. Additionally, travellers can bring new ideas and perspectives back to their own communities, which can further promote cultural exchange and understanding.

What type of experience does a cultural trip give?

A cultural trip offers a unique and immersive experience that allows travellers to explore and appreciate the cultural heritage, traditions, and way of life of a destination. It provides an opportunity to engage with local communities, sample authentic cuisine, witness traditional performances, and visit historical and cultural landmarks. A cultural trip can be a deeply enriching and rewarding experience, providing a greater understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, and promoting intercultural exchange and understanding.

What are the best cultural travel destinations?

South India, and particularly Tamil nadu is less explored and a home to some of the best cultural travel destinations, especially for those interested in exploring the Dravidian temple art, architecture and ancient Sangam culture. Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known for its beautiful rock-cut temples and monolithic sculptures. Thanjavur, also known as the “rice bowl of Tamil Nadu”, boasts of the Brihadeeswara Temple, a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. Chidambaram, mystical coastal ford is the home the famous Nataraja Temple. Thiruvannamalai, a sacred temple town where the hill is worshipped as Arunachaleswara, a form of Shiva is popular for yoga; while Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India, offers a unique blend of Tamil, Kerala and Sri Lankan cultures with beautiful temples, beaches, and scenic views. These destinations are a must-visit for those looking to immerse themselves in South India’s rich cultural heritage.

Best cultural tour company

Jvala Travel offers authentic and transformative travel experiences in India, with paths like Chola Marvels and Finding the Anchor. Each itinerary is carefully crafted to provide a rich and genuine cultural experience, while nurturing travellers’ inner cravings to experience sublime by conducting workshops and masterclasses in yoga, art and culture.

From the Dravidian Treasure Trail to the Beauty Path, Jvala Travel promises an immersive and enriching journey that combines cultural exploration and personal growth.

Wrapping up

Cultural tourism in India offers a unique and enriching experience that promotes cultural exchange and understanding. From exploring the Dravidian temple culture in South India to engaging with local communities and traditions, India has something to offer for every cultural enthusiast. Book your authentic and transformative cultural travel experience with Jvala Travel today at https://jvala.travel/

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      Itinerary

      Sacred Spaces Retreat: Stillness of a Lake

      “O! Please come! Dance in my heart; hurt not your feet on the rocky slopes of Himalayas.” ~Adi Shankara
       
      Jvala is an organisation that curates experiences of sublime. It is built around Indic knowledge systems like yoga, Indian arts, heritage and history to promote the intangible cultural heritage of India. Jvala will be collaborating with the yoga studio: Tattva to conduct Yoga retreats for adults at various sacred destinations within India.
       
      Details of the Chidambaram yoga retreat
       
        Duration: 4 days 3 nights    Start/End Point : Chennai
        Participants - Yoga practitioners  Age - Between 18-45 years
        Date - Jan 25-28 2024   Destination: Tharangambadi
       
      Accommodation and Destination for retreat
       
      Tharangambadi is one of the rare attractions in Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel coast, Tharangambadi is one of the finest private beaches and a perfect weekend getaway for unwinding. ‘Tharangambadi’, which literally means “the land of swinging waves”, whispers stories of the land and sweet lullabies of the ocean. It poses as the perfect place with breathtaking views of the horizon during Sun rise. The historical significance and temple heritage in and around Tharangambadi make it a perfect slow travel destination.

      Neemrana’s Bungalow on the Beach is a 17th Century Danish structure renovated to be one of the finest boutique resorts in Tamil Nadu. The architecture and its location makes it classy and apt for conducting thematic yoga on ākāśa.
       
      Itinerary
       
      Day 1
      Start from Chennai at 8:00am (brunch on the way); Reach Tharangambadi - Neemrana property Bunglow in the Beach 1pm for lunch; 4pm High Tea followed by Orientation; Enjoy Sunset by the Beach; Games; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 2
      Yoga (asana meditative practice) 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Talk - Significance of Lotus; 10-12am; High tea 3-4pm; Sightseeing - Sirkazhi temple (Friday special darshan), Tharangambadi; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 3
      Yoga 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Discussion and Talk - Introduction to Yogic Anatomy: Patanjali’s Mind & Body Science 10-12am; High Tea 4-5pm; Sightseeing - Poompuhar; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 4
      Yoga 6:30-8am; Breakfast 9:00 am; Discussion and Talk - Topic: Cosmic Dance of Siva, a brief overview 10-12am; High Tea 4-5pm; Sightseeing - Tharangambadi local sight-seeing; Dinner 8pm
       
      Day 5
      Yoga 6:30-8am (Special Meditation for Chidambaram); Brunch 10:00am; Darshan at Chidambaram Temple; Return to Chennai
       

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      Itinerary

      Pallava Passion: Cultural heritage tour

      “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”
      ~Karunanidhi (Late CM, TN)
       
      Details of the retreat
       
        Duration: 6 (+6) hours   Purpose: South Indian Temple Art appreciation
        Participants: Art enthusiasts & connoisseurs  Destinations: Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram
        Date: Dec 3, 10; Dec 17, 24    Group Size: Min 10- Max 20 registrations only
       
      Itinerary for Mahabalipuram
       
      • Tour starts at Dakshinachitra, Chennai
      • Talk: Significance of Rock-cut art; Contributions of Pallava dynasty to Rock-cut art
      • Break for a classic South Indian Breakfast
      • Proceed to Mahabalipuram
      • 3 hours Heritage Walk of the Dravidian rock-cut cave temples at Mahabalipuram
      • 3 Stages of mature Dravidian rock-cut caves
      • Speciality of Pancha Rathas in Dravidian temple art
      • Tour Ends at Egmore Museum/ Concert hall
       
      Itinerary for Kanchipuram
       
      • Tour starts at OMR, Chennai
      • Talk: Obsessions of pan-Indian artisans: Iconography and Significance of Mahishasura Mardini and Varaha
      • Break for a classic South Indian Breakfast
      • Proceed to Kanchipuram
      • 3 hours Heritage Walk at Kanchipuram heritage sites
      • One early Pallava Rock-cut Cave
      • 2 Must-see structural temples of Pallava-s
      • Interact with Kanchipuram silk weavers
      • Tour Ends at Egmore Museum/ Concert hall
       
      Cost: INR 5500/day trip*
      *Conditions Apply. Price is indicative and calculated for a Group of 10 based on a specific venue
       
      Includes:
      • Breakfast, Refreshments - Tender Coconut Water, Buttermilk
      • Remuneration of Culture host
      • Guided Tour at Heritage sites
      • Entry fee at Heritage sites
      • Logistic from Start and End point of Tour
       
      Does not Include:
      • Lunch
      • Other temples/ structures at the destination
      • Recreational sport at the destination
      • Concert entry fee

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