ACCOR HOTELS RETURN TO INDIA AFTER A DECADE

New Delhi: The French hospitality major Accor which “Checked out” almost a decade ago is returning to the Indian market and setting up two joint ventures with InterGlobe for developing and managing economy hotels across India and South Asia as well. This is the first FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) by an international chain in the hospitality industry. With the travel economy in India on the upswing Accor feels it is a good time to target the middle class by entering the economy segment. The first Ibis hotel will be operational by June 2006.

WWF DECLARES NORTHEAST FORESTS “SECOND RICHEST IN THE WORLD”

The World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) has said in its report that the forests in the Northeast are the “second richest in the world”, especially as recently a new species of macaque and the rare rusty throated wren warbler were found in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh. About 14,000 sq km of the Himalaya foothill north of the Brahmaputra River has been described as “extraordinary” and “a jewel in the crown of Indian forests.”

RAJASTHAN SAW 50% INCREASE IN FOREIGN VISITORS IN 2004

Jaipur: Rajasthan is bent on promoting itself as a round-the-year destination. Foreign tourists, drawn by Rajasthans forts, festivals, colour and heritage, recorded a more than 50% increase in 2004 while domestic tourists increased by 28%. The State wants to enlarge its tourism product by adding new segments of tourism such as health, rural, adventure, pilgrim and eco-tourism.

“INDIONE” ROLLS OUT IN TEN CITIES

Bombay: After the success of its first budget indiOne hotel in Bangalore, Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL) today announced the rollout of indiOne in 10 additional locations; Pune, Nashik, Mysore, Haridwar, Panjim, Bhubaneshwar, Varanasi, Trivandrum, Jamshedpur and Durgapur. Scheduled to be unveiled within the next 10 months, the construction of these hotels will commence within two months. The identified towns are a combination of strong urban markets as also secondary and tertiary towns where an offering like indiOne holds tremendous potential. Announcing the rollout, Mr. Raymond Bickson, Managing Director, IHCL (owners of the Taj Group) said, “The launch of our first indiOne hotel in Bangalore has changed the dynamics of the entire hospitality industry and a category like the ‘Smart Basics’ Hotels has truly emerged a compelling business opportunity”. Each hotel will have 100 rooms.

DESTINATION OF THE MONTH

MATHURA: CITY OF LORD KRISHNA

By Deepti Bhagat

The birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura, (60 km/38 miles) from Agra 140 km/90 miles from Delhi) in Uttar Pradesh, became known as Braj Bhoomi the “Land of Eternal love”. Krishna played on its banks with the gopis (shepherdesses). Today long line of picturesque “ghats” leading to the waters edge, temple spires and arched gateways as far as the eye can see all along the River Yamuna’s right bank greet the visitor. For the devout, the land where Krishna, the best known and loved of the gods in the Hindu pantheon, was born, is holy.

Mathura is a very interesting little town where Krishna’s presence is everywhere. You find him in the Katra Keshav Dev Temple which stands on the spot he is believed to have been born. The Gita Mandir (Temple) has the Gita inscribed on the walls of the temple and beautiful image of Shri Krishna. A colourful bazaar with little alleys and an ornate gateway lead you to the best known shrine the Dwarikadish Temple (1815).

Each of the 25 or so ghats is unique the most important being the Vishram Ghat which is lined with elegant temples and important shrines. Legend has it that Krishna rested here after killing his demon uncle Kansa. Float down the river in a boat, but be sure to be at the Vishram ghat in the evening for the famous Arti (evening prayer), when thousands of little oil lamps float on the river turning it into a sheet of flickering lights.

Four of Mathura’s ancient “kunds” (water bodies) survive; the Shiv Tal, Potara Kund (where baby Krishn’s nappies were apparently washed) Balbhadra and Saraswati Kunds. Kansa Qila (fort where Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur’s observatory once stood) lies, mostly in ruins. The Jama Masjid (1661) with its bright mosaic and lofty minarets is an interesting structure.

The Mathura Museum has one of the finest collections of antiquities and house a definitive collection of Kushan sculptures. It also has a collection of Jain and Buddhist sculpture of the Mathura school (1st to 6th century) with a 5th century standing Buddha which is unique. Terracotta figures, coins (gold, silver and copper) clay seals, pottery are all worth seeing as are paintings and bronzes.

The little town of Mathura comes alive at festival time, especially at the time of Holi (26 March this year). The Rang Gulal Mahotsav (festival colours) of Holi is celebrated with gay abandon as it is the harbinger of spring. Several classical and folk artists perform at concerts during this festival. It is a time to play with coloured powder and spray friends with it. Good food is there is plenty and friends and foes come together to play with colour and sing songs and dance the Raaslila as Krishna once did with his gopis. So get into the spirit of Holi and lose yourself. You will end up “finding” yourself as it has a transcendental effect on you, at the same time arousing your consciousness. After all you are in Krishna’s land.

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