The dynamics of the flowing historical tradition of a landscape is sought to be showcased in the walks. Hence as the walk proceeds in a manner of a curetted living exhibit the audience experience one canvas of the landscape flowing into another. There is the built heritage of stone as silent witnesses of events in time. These expressions of the tangible heritage embodied in tombs, temples, mosques, Sufi shrines, step wells, forts and palaces overlap with movement of people creative crafts, performances, active worship of pilgrims, elaborate rituals, and smells of food. There is Celebration of life, death and creativity captured in exotic dynamism of rituals, customs, colors and emotions. This is India in perpetual flow and moving forward carrying with it, its traditions of the ever present past. The tangible is thus intertwined with the intangible to produce a dynamic presentation of India incredible, India alive and vibrant.

We give you an experience of Delhi though one of our services Jafa Delhi Walks. The Walks are not simple showcasing of the heritage, but narratives and routes are charted to encapsulate built, historical and lived traditions. For example, an evening walk in Old Delhi titled ‘A Walk of Five Senses’ begins at Jama Masjid, the largest Mosque in Old Delhi built in the 17thc by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. A special permission is sought to bring the audience at this time. While the sun is setting the audience stands in the middle of the majestic courtyard hearing the call of prayers, observing devotees rush to a water tank to perform ablutions and set out to the main porch for the prayers in a disciplined manner The skyline is adorned with three majestic marble cupolas, and minarets resonating and celebrating the abstract beauty of the Holy Qur’an in its entirety. The rules and regulation it contains, its order and organization, the wisdom, clarity and eloquence captured in the architecture of the Mosque, as well as in the rituals of the people offering prayers. The tangible and built heritage come together to produce a spectacular choreography of moving tradition.

The group quietly exists from another gate, and enters a pool of chaos, a bazaar with Islamic sensibilities. From the sacred to the profane, the audience encounters the hustle and bustle of the feisty atmosphere of the bazaar. Distinct smells of kebabs, fresh breads combine with the smell of oriental perfumes, the jingle of glass bangles, with the tinkling bells of cycle rickshaws, colored fanciful clothes with stark burqa clad ladies. Brisk business in all kinds of trade from currency exchange, visa forms to Pakistan, utensils, beauty products, beetle nuts, beetle leaves, fruits and bakeries. The walk is through meandering by lanes and labyrinths one layer blends into another, and then suddenly there is complete silence, a control combined with a sense of stillness. The group arrives at a Sufi hospice. While some earnest, somber devotees move like silent shadows to offer prayers in a mosque, others come to the tomb of the deceased saint to offer prayers and seek his blessedness. The caretaker of the hospice comes out and narrates the miracles, and spiritual power of the Sufi saint buried. The audience stands in awe while the study leader translates the wonderful tales – “Once the saint hid an entire wedding procession in a tea cup to save them from a wicked thug,” he says. He describes the saint’s blessedness, and the sanctity that permeates the psyche of his believers even after his death. The group proceeds back into the noisy, winding streets of disarray. They make their way after many turns, and in complete wonder as they encounter several workshops of beads, and embroidery of motor parts, and press. Suddenly, they arrive at the grave of Razia Sultan the only Muslim woman to have ruled India in the 14thc.

With historical facts, tales and legends the walk proceeds to a well known restaurant serving authentic Mughal food. The audience listens to the descriptions of the dishes, and finally makes their way home as if emerging from a dream of the past into the chaos of New Delhi.

Story Sample two:

Ladakh, the Tibet of India:is one of the tours around India in the second category, ‘Sacred Journeys into Secret India’. The five day tour begins in Leh the capital of Ladakh in the pristine Himalayas. It is a cold desert; the surrounding mountains are bare of trees, while the valleys with green grass, agricultural fields, trees, and winding rivers are oasis in the cold wilderness. After a day of acclimatizing, the group moves with the study leader to interact with one of the residents in a traditional home. The audience talk, interact and the owners in the unique setting of a traditional sitting Ladakhi home. There is a large stove right in the center of the room. Its chimney spouts out from the room into the ceiling. Small table’s forms are organized on three sides of the stove. The fourth side has selves build of richly decorated shelves lined with series traditional copper and steel utensils. A small place in the dark corner is designated to store water, and to wash utensils. The floor is heavily carpeted, the ceiling is low. There is door leading into an ante room which is demarcated to the house temple. The central shrine has brass images of Buddhas; in front of the alter is small raised platform on which are placed beautifully done decoration of white butter, oil lamps are lighted along with the incense, and clarified butter flowers a craft indigenous to this region. Large religious cloth paintings (thangkas) decorate the walls along with the photograph of his holy highness the Dalai Lama. In the corner is a ceremonial cylindrical drum stands. The sacred atmosphere reigns supreme in the house. The next day there is tour organized in some selected monasteries such as Hemis, Stok and Thiksey. The audience learns to decode the frescoes on the wall; they visit an old manuscript room where the palm leaf manuscripts are wrapped in a red cloth, and the method of learning Buddhist religious education is described...

On the third day the group departs for Baima, one of the five villages where the Brokpas live. Brokpas are commonly known as the ‘true Aryans’, yet the Brokpas describe themselves as descendants of Alexander. Brokpa is the language they speak. Tents set up on the bank of river Indus. A small trek is organized to the village Baima high up in the mountains. The study leader leads the group in various houses and describes the rituals, customs and lifestyle of the Brokpas. The group heads back to the camping site, warm soup is served to be followed by dinner. As night approaches the Brokpas come down the mountain like dwarfs with lighted lanterns and dressed in elaborate traditional clothes. Both men and women wear flowers on their head. A bon fire is lighted. The audience stands around, and the Brokpas begin singing and dancing under the inverted bowl of the star lit shining sky. The rumble of the river behind and the shadows of the lofty mountains in the moonlit night add to magical experience Next morning the group departs for Leh, stops to sees Alchi the oldest Buddhist monastery in the region, and to have traditional Ladakhi lunch in local restaurant. On the final day the group departs and returns to Delhi.

Each of the signature tour is made special with the assistance of an accompanying study leader. The study leader is expected to research in details, intricacies and overlays of the cultural fabric of the region presented. The presence of the study leader makes the educational experience a distinct methodology of presenting cultural mosaics. The leader is expected to constantly update her readings, as well to constantly add special inputs to the exhibit to that each group of the audience goes back completely satisfied knowing the sacredness in secret India in a distinct and a holistic manner. The study leader is not only a learned person, but someone who can curate and present the exhibit like a living performance. The study leader coordinates with the local guide to speak on site as well as provides inputs in hotels.

The company inducts and presents well qualified study leaders. It also provides logistic support for each tour this category of study leaders together with other team’s member are trained to present heritage tour. Today such study leaders are a distinct category in the discourse on tourism and presentation of heritage. The study leader hence acquires the status of public academicians.

In case you cannot hire or do not want to hire a study leader the company gives you detailed notes on destinations, customizes the trip according to your interests, hires excellent escorts and local guides and selects some unique places to stay.