Where are you partying on the night of December 31?
Snow, sun or on wheels?

For most leading hotels and travel agencies December 31, 1999 is literally the opportunity of a lifetime. And they are marketing every nook and corner of India calling it the hottest destination in the world for that eventful evening. And why not? According to the Royal Greenwich Observatory, Katchal Island in the Andamans will be among the first few places to see the break of dawn in the new millennium. Saikat Neogi hunts out the hot party spots.

SO what’s the big idea? How do you plan to say goodbye to the twentieth century and welcome the first rays of the new millennium sun? Maybe huddled in your blanket in front of the TV watching the world celebrate? Or partying with a small group of friends? Or chanting devotional mantras for prosperity? Or just following your daily routine wondering what’s so special about the first break of dawn of the new millennium?

If none of the above appeals to you, have no fear. There’s a lot in store for you provided you have the inclination and more importantly, the megabucks. For most leading hotels and travel agencies this is literally the opportunity of a lifetime. And they are marketing every nook and corner of India calling it the hottest destination in the world for that eventful evening.

Hoardings, mailers and television ad spots have been released the world over by leading private hotels and tour operators. And they are luring tourists to exotic places like Katchal Island in the Andamans, Bandipur Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka and the palaces of Rajasthan and the heady heights of Shimla.

They are beckoning Indophiles to watch the first rays of the millennium sun at the Katchal Islands or go back in time a hundered years and re-live the life in the Raj era in Shimla or take a romantic shikara in Srinagar or spend the night with the erotic carvings in Khajuraho.

Costs of packaged tours being offered by agents and hotel chains are much beyond the reach of an average domestic traveller and all eyes are set on the international tourist who loves to spend on style and exotica. If you want to anchor at Katchal Island in the Bay of Bengal while on a millennium cruise, you will have to fork out at least Rs. 10,000 per night.

Though the government started very late, Katchal is a charged up place for millennium celebrations ever since the Royal Greenwich Observatory in UK reported that it will be the first place to receive the first rays of the sun on January 1,2000 at 0545 hours alongwith Myanmar, Siberia and Mongolia.

Frantic activities are now underway in this otherwise nondescript island in Andaman and Nicobar. With this bit of information being leaked out there has been a manifold increase in the number of tourists who want to visit the island.

Special arrangements have been made for cruise liners and luxury vessels to anchor at Hoinipoh Bay and East Bay on the island for people to see the rising sun. Decks are being spruced for hosting live bands and local gigs. On the ships too one has to pay the additional cost of Rs 5,000 for the economy section and Rs 10,000 for executive class.

"We are trying to promote the Andamans as a millennium destination and Katchal is the best way to start. We have to carry forward the enthusiasm and make sure that every tourist returns home with unforgettable memories of the dawn of the new millennium," says Ashok Pradhan, director-general tourism.

The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has apparently missed the millennium bus. Manjula Arun, the general manager, communications and PR, says that the plans are yet to be finalised. With barely a few weeks left for the millennium, it is unlikely that its plans will be realised. A pity, considering the fact that it has under its wing the largest network of hotels in India.

In sharp contrast to the ITDC, other private groups are well into their new millennium plans and many hotels of the Oberoi and the Welcomgroup have attracted a good response.

The Welcomegroup’s Bay Island property near Katchal Island) offers a fun-filled package to the tourists. Their Executive Chef Suju George John will be creating a feast for relatively modest price of Rs 799 per head Rs 1199 for a couple and Rs 499 for a child. He promises a meal which visitors will remember for a lifetime.

Towards the north, the Oberoi Cecil in Shimla would make one lighter by Rs. 57,000 (delux room per couple) for three-day millennium package. The hotel will recreate days of the Raj by taking guests on the breathtaking Great Northern Railway journey, complete with a railway breakfast. A Victorian theme will complement the hotel’s decor with cameos of the past 100 years.

Just 20 km from Shimla, the Shilon Resorts is offering an exotica of its own. The five star property has hired a Bell 407 helicopter which will fly all the guests to the Kinner Kailash and Choor Chandni ranges— the two are said to the marriage and honeymoon places respectively of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

Apart from this ‘Flight in the millennium’, there will dances by folk artists, an open air chess competition, an in-house astrologer, a caricaturist and plenty of dancing in the discotheque. For three nights and four days — from December 30 to January 2 the charges range between Rs 30,000 for tented accommodation and Rs 45,000 for a well appointed delux room for a couple.

Another favourite tourist spot for the millennium is Rajasthan. A state well known for its havelis and royal lifestyles, it attracts the most number of domestic and international tourists. for the guests staying at Oberoi’s Rajvilas, Jaipur, the party starts on the 24th of December itself with exotic meals and Rajasthani dances.

The millennium has attracted people to the Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur where Sita World Travel is setting up camps complete with food and drinks. There will be a millennium dance party on the sand dunes. A Surya Namaskaris being organised on the terrace of the Ummaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur. A champagne brunch later in the day sets the mood to witness polo, the game of royalty.

One of the packages offered by Cox and Kings travel agency even enables you to join in the exclusive splendour of a royal Rajput wedding. You can take part in the traditional ceremonies accompanied by all the grandeur of such an occasion. If you wish. you can be a guest, or actually take part as bride and groom, the romance of this moment may bring an opportunity to renew your marriage vows.

At the Ajit Bhavan in Jodhpur, for Rs 35,000 a couple, Maharaja Swaroop Singh will welcome all guests. Drummers will deliver personal invitations for meals. On the millennium night there will be a display of fireworks. The desert camp awaits you at the Retreat in Manvar. For Rs 20,000 per person the erstwhile Maharaja Fateh Singh Rathore promises to recreate the magic of Arabian nights. You get to pray withe the Bishnoi tribe. feed rare, animals and ride decorated camels. You get to spend the millennium eve on the golden sand dunes.

Similarly, in Udaipur, Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar, for Rs 43,000 per person will take you on a boat ride on Lake Pichola. You also get to join him for a royal procession complete with vintage cars, horses, lancers and flaming torches from the City Palace to the royal residence. At midnight the party moves to the terrace with a commanding view of a lit up Udaipur.

The Rajputana Palace Sheraton’s theme is Rangeelo Rajasthan for its 2-night package. Priced at Rs. 19,999, the package includes a room and special buffet dinner and live performances by traditional Rajasthani musicians and dancers.

The Oberoi group has also launched Metro Leisure Millennium packages in Delhi, Shimla, Jaipur and Khajuraho which offer jazz, fusion cuisine, regal themes and a date with history. A visit to the breathtaking 10th century temples and cultural dance recitals, showcasing the historic splendour of Khajuraho.

The Indian Railways too is offering a journey on the Millennium Express. The five night North India Package costing around Rs 25,000 per person will cover Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Khajuraho in first class air conditioned coaches. The package includes sight seeing on coaches and the celebration of the new year in Agra.

The Southern part of India too has a mesmerising cultural variety that pulls tourists towards it, Cox and Kings has organised The Millennium Royal Guest package for Rs 30,000 per person for celebrations at the sandalwood City of Mysore. There will be a display of music and dance usually reserved of royalty. The millennium eve will culminate at the Mysore Palace with a cultural extravaganza followed by a trip of almost all of south India.

If you are not satisfied with these lavish vacations then don’t lose heart. Some leading travel agencies allow you to design your own customised holiday. You can even sit at home and plan out a virtual reality vacationing (VRV) on the internet and see how the country unfolds sensuously for the tourists to explore at their will, to greet the new millennium.

The millennium is the season of all seasons. The one you will remember all your life and tell your grandchildren about it. And why not? A time like this comes once in a thousand years! — NF