Adishakti - the vibrant, flourishing and unique performing arts community at Pondicherry, provides ample opportunities for a perfect cultural retreat from hectic schedules.

What It Can Offer
Training in martial arts, yoga -'pranayama' (breath exercises) 'soorya namaskar' (Sun salutation) and other fitness regimens.

Traditional massages and other physical therapies.

Natural healing facilities, 'Siddha' medicine and naturopathic consultancy.

The opportunity to observe creative work in progress, attend lecture demonstrations and to participate in workshops and group sessions. The possibility of interacting with a wide variety of other regular visitors who include actors, dancers, musicians, singers, painters, sculptors, film-makers, writers, architects, media personalities... the list is endless.

Discussions on philosophy, yoga, spirituality and the ancient wisdoms.

The opportunity to attend many exotic performances including those of rare folk forms at the traditional theatre space.

Self-drive Tours

Okay... pack your bags and go on a unique holiday! Opt for a self-drive package at Rs 95,000 per person and drive around New Zealand. The 10-day self-drive package includes international airfares, accommodation, sightseeing and daily breakfasts. This is part of an exclusive offering for Indian tourists.

New Zealand is a perfect location for a self-drive vacation - spectacular mountains, active volcanoes and rugged coastline, picturesque lakes, streams and beaches and uncongested roads coupled with the fact that all cars are right hand drive add to the pleasure of driving in New Zealand.

To know more, visit www.newzealand.com/travel/travel deals in India; or contact the nearest Air New Zealand office.

Travel Fun Trivia.... But True!

Okhil Babu's Letter to the Railway Department: (Verbatim)
"I am arrive by passenger train Ahmedpur station and my belly is too much swelling with jackfruit. I am therefore went to privy. Just I doing the nuisance that guard making whistle blow for train to go off and I am running with lotah in one hand and dhoti in the next when I am fall over and expose all my shocking to man and female women on plateform. I am got leaved at Ahmedpur station. This too much bad, if passenger go to make dung that dam guard not wait train five minutes for him. I am therefore pray your honour to make big fine on that guard for public sake. Otherwise I am making big report to papers."

Okhil Chandra Sen wrote this letter to the Sahibganj divisional railway office in 1909. It is on display at the Railway Museum in New Delhi. It was also reproduced under the caption 'Travelers' Tales' in the 'Far Eastern Economic Review'.

Any guesses why this letter is of historic value? It apparently led to the introduction of TOILETS in trains!
Contributed by Alkaa Shankernarayan

Summer Coolant
Nope, this has nothing to do with food. But, it has all the powers to give you a cooling effect.
The Kerala Ayurveda Vaidya has launched its 'Takra Dhara' or 'Sheetal Dhara' therapy that cools and soothes the body.

The Tara Dhara therapy is the continuous pouring of a stream of medicated buttermilk on the forehead - where all the sensory nerves are located - for a specific time period. Used as an effective therapy in relieving stress, correcting insomnia and hypertension, the Takra Dhara is a great option for total rejuvenation.

Log on to keralavaidyashala.com for more details.