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** Springtime on the River
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The Indian spring brings balmy, breezy weather, nature’s vivid colors and equally colorful festivals. Cruise with Antara to be a part of the magic and the ‘masti’
(or playfulness) of this exciting season.
a catamaran in the water near a body of water and a grassy field
** Antara’s catamaran glides through green farmlands and serene rivers
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** Holi & Dol Jatra
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** Celebrations of faith and togetherness
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Both these beautiful spring festivals are celebrated with great rejoicing along the river in Bengal, and on board Antara’s ships, too. Holi marks the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring, which brings with it the blossoming of flowers and of young love. Holi is celebrated with abandon, bursts of music and color filling the air, bonfires and sweetmeats galore.
Dol Jatra, also known as Dol Purnima, is the Bengali celebration of Holi. But it has a gentler significance as it’s all about the divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha. Along with embracing the season, people recall the legend that on this day Krishna first showed Radha how much he loved her while she was playing on a swing with her friends, by throwing “phag”, a powdered color in her face. The deities in all their finery are placed on a swing and taken out in a grand procession with people covering each other with colorful powders and singing devotional songs.
** Spring’s Whisper
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a ships in front of a yellow flower field
** Antara’s Ganges Voyager among mustard blooms
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There’s no better way to witness the unfolding of nature’s vibrant spring hues than from the deck of an Antara cruise. It’s a glorious time to sail with us. The weather is mild, pleasant and dry, the waters are mirrors of calm and nature’s bounty is in full view with mustard fields and frangipani on the river bank, the sweet song of the koel and an abundance of fruit on your table aboard our ships.
** The Eternal Spring of Faith
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No Indian journey is complete without dipping your toes in the spiritual streams of faith. As you sail along the Ganges and its sister rivers, explore the ancient and medieval riverside temples of Bengal to get a glimpse of the deep faith of these people and their strong heritage.
** BARANAGAR
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an char bangla temple with a rounded roof and wooden doors
** The exquisite temples of Baranagar
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The Char Bangla Temple complex in Baranagar was built by Rani Bhabani of Natore, who wanted to recreate Varanasi here. She created a series of amazing temples, complete with intricate stucco and terracotta ornamentation.
** KALNA
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a row of shrines in a garden in front of the kalra temple
** 108 shrines to Shiva at Kalna
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Kalna is famous for its stunning terracotta temples, including the 108 Shiva temples built in the 18th century. The exquisitely carved panels depict Hindu mythology, historical events, and daily life in ancient Bengal.
** MAYAPUR
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** Spiritual succor in Mayapur
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The headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the “Hare Krishna Movement” is a beloved pilgrimage centre for those seeking spiritual solace in the modern world. It is also the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is considered a special incarnation of Krishna.
** Antara’s Partnerships
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Antara Cruises and the West Bengal Government’s Transport department have signed a landmark agreement.
Antara has pledged ₹800 crore over the next five years to expand luxury river cruise services, develop Indian shipbuilding facilities, and position West Bengal as a global river tourism hub. All while keeping to its firm commitment in sustainable and responsible tourism to safeguard India’s river ecosystems and cultural heritage for future generations.
** Guest Feedback
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Sometimes we like to let our guests tell tales. Here’s one.
“Let me thank both of you from the bottom of my heart for ensuring that me and my group had a most satisfying cruise experience. Undoubtedly this was one of the best journeys we have ever had and something which all the 56 in our group would vouch for. Right from the planning, execution and implementation of what was promised, everything was exemplary. We stepped into the lap of luxury with a boat to call our own for 5 days with the best hospitality we could ask for. The staff on the boat were all wonderful, always ready to help and never out of sight. The food was amazing. This kind of cruise is something that many people were not aware of and you can be assured that there will be many enquiries about your itineraries because our interactions with like-minded people have all been appraised of the good times they can have on your curated journeys. Wish you all the very best and thank you once again.”
Dr. Akhila Dilip, guest on Antara Ganges Voyager’s Sunderbans trip
