Must-do festival getaways: From Rajasthan to Phnom Penh

Ah, November! The winter chill in the air, festivals galore, and the delicious anticipation of end of the year. A time to celebrate and an even better time to head out for that quick pre-Christmas getaway. I am not even going to suggest that you get away for Diwali. The smoke and sound may not work for me, but even I hate to miss the chance to light those diyas at home. But you can take the following weeks to recover from the mithai and masti. Here are some wonderful options, most are close to home and one that is just right for the adventurous jetsetter in you. (Don’t forget to check out travel and hotel recommendations included at the end) Rajasthan calling November is a great time to head to Rajasthan. The weather is perfect, not too cold, not too hot. And, most importantly, the foreign groups with their tour buses and pushy guides have not yet arrived in droves. Come November, something happens to Rajasthan. It shakes off the stupor of the long dry summer and gets ready to celebrate. And it all starts with Pushkar. From January till October, the town stays sedate and all-vegetarian (yes, really). Pilgrims flock there to bathe in the ghats and pay their respects to their deceased ancestors. Some go there to pray at the only Brahma temple in India. Yet others do it as a side trip from Ajmer, the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. [caption id=“attachment_109836” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The Pushkar mela started off as a local fair for camel owners and prospective buyers. And while it is still called the Pushkar camel fair, it’s now an international destination for tourists. AFP”]  [/caption] And then comes the mela, and Pushkar puts on its party hat. The Pushkar mela started off as a local fair for camel owners and prospective buyers. And while it is still called the Pushkar camel fair, it’s now an international destination for tourists. There are cultural events (the usual song and dance), whacky competitions (including for longest moustache and fastest turban tier), great food (even if there is no meat) and general fun. This year, the fair is on from November 2-10. Try to be there on the most significant day of the fair, which is Kartik Poornima, the day of the full moon (November 10). If you think that sounds too touristy (which it is), then head to quiet, sleepy Bundi, less than 40 km from Kota. This is off the major tourist trail though it has been the residence of choice for literary giants like Rudyard Kipling. The Bundi Utsav, which will be celebrated November 14 – 16 if similar to the Pushkar mela but smaller in scale and minus the camel trade. In Bundi, spend an afternoon (or three) doing the mandatory rounds of the local sights. The stepwell (Raniji ki baori) with its graceful arches and the Bundi Palace’s Chitrashala (Chamber of Paintings), which hosts an excellent collection of Bundi miniature paintings, are particularly impressive. Getaway to the Ganga One of my all-time favourite destinations in India is Varanasi. This year, the Ganga Mahotsav will be held from November 6 – 10. The last day _Dev Deepavali (_on Kartik Poornima again) is particularly magical, when the otherwise murky Ganga (so sue me for saying it) is lit up by the glow of thousands of diyas floating down its waters at dusk. There are also classical music and dance performances throughout the five days of celebration, all part of this unique festival. Did I say recover from the mithai and masti? Who am I kidding? Varanasi is one of the best places in India for street food and chaat. Tuck into its famous kachoris (there is even a kachori galli, though not many of the original shops remain) and wash it all down with thandai – with or without the bhang! Continued on the next page Boat racing in Cambodia If you truly want to get away from it all, then find your way to Cambodia to see the locals go crazy during their biggest festival, the Bonn Om Touk (aka the Cambodian Regatta). This Water Festival marks the end of a unique natural event. During the rainy season, the level of the Mekong river steadily rises, reversing the flow as the river floods into the Tonle Sap lake. On Bonn Om Touk, the overflowing lake once again empties into the massive river. This three-day festival occurs during the full moon in the Buddhist month of _Kadeu_k (mid November, 9 – 11 in 2011). There are gaily decorated boats with pageants, races, fireworks and general merriment all around. [caption id=“attachment_144551” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=" The most significant and impressive of them is, of course, the Angkor Wat — head there before sunrise and grab a spot on the small clearing in front of it, by the pond.AFP"]  [/caption]   Watch this festival at the capital city of Phnom Penh and then head to Siem Reap to take in the splendid Angkor temples. The most significant and impressive of them is, of course, the Angkor Wat — head there before sunrise and grab a spot on the small clearing in front of it, by the pond. This is the only temple in the world that faces West. And as the sun rises from behind the temple, it makes for an enchanting spectacle. Also visit the Ta Phrom temple, where the giant roots of the trees hold the buildings captive, at sunset. Or take a helium balloon ride for a, well, balloon’s eye view of the temples. Travel information Pushkar: Fly into Jaipur (fares begin from Rs. 3500 from Mumbai and Rs. 2500 from Delhi) and hire a car from the airport to Pushkar – roughly 140 km, three hours away. From Delhi, you can also take the Shatabdi Express to Ajmer (Chair Car at Rs. 570) and take a cab or rick to Pushkar, 14 km away. Stay at the Tourist Village managed by the RTDC, if only for their vantage location right opposite the fair grounds. Bundi: The nearest airport is at Jaipur, around 200 km away - hire a cab from the airport directly to Bundi (roughly Rs. 2500 for the 4 hour drive). Or take the Rajdhani Express from Mumbai or Delhi and get off at Kota junction, 40 km away. In Bundi, the best place to stay would be the 200-year old Haveli Braj Bhushanjee. Varanasi: The most convenient option is the flight (from Rs.4050) or the night train from Delhi, in which case the best option is Swatanrata Express that leaves Delhi at 20:40 hours. For absolute comfort, choose the Gateway Hotel ( Taj Ganges). If you want to stay close to the action in the ghats, book a room at the basic but comfortable Ganpati GuestHouse. Phnom Penh: Fly from Mumbai (Rs. 27,000 on) or Delhi (Rs. 31,000 on) on Jet Airways, with a connection in Bangkok. You can find great hotel deals at Directrooms.com. Hire a cab to get to Siem Reap from there. Charukesi Ramadurai is a freelance writer and travel blogger from Bangalore. When she is not actually traveling, she is busy planning her next trip. Read more about her at her website.