Mussoorie WinterLine Carnival

Mussoorie, in the Uttarakhand hills of India gives an astounding sight of the mighty snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, the tourist wing of the Uttarakhand State Government is organizing a festival, Mussoorie WinterLine Carnival, in Mussoorie from 27th to 30th December 2013. For further details, please visit http://mwlc.in/

Yoga Festival in Goa

Goa, in December , is about all-night partying, love music bands, and unlimited food and drinks. But this year, try something different, says Times Life, a Times of India Sunday Supplement. Instead of hitting the usual party scene, detoxify and rejuvenate your mind and senses by attending India's first and biggest toga festival, Zambhala. This two-day event (December 21-22) promises to bring together 70 of the best yoga experts, spiritual teachers, practitioners and healers from all over the world. Apart from yoga sessions, the festival also promises to have activities like Sufi whirling. Shamanism and workshops on different meditation techniques, crystal healing, chanting, past-life regression and star-gazing.

Gulmarg, Kashmir Valley

Gulmarg, the closest to Srinagar, is a cup-shaped meadow of rolling grassy slopes. There are heritage hotels and alpine huts, cozy places of retreat. Temperatures plummet in Gulmarg even in summer evenings. The gondola cable car is a tourist attraction in its own right, but it really comes into its true elements in winter, when the slopes are blanketed with snow and Gulmarg turns into one one vast skiing resort. Skiers form the bulk of visitors to Gulmarg in winter, From Kongdori, at an elevation of 1300 feet higher than Gulmarg, limitless ski runs are possible, weaving between fir trees, to 3 km below.Gulmag holds plenty of thrills for the absolute beginner. Ski runs of 400-500 meters are connected to Poma ype ski lifts. The skiing season starts when there is sufficient snow, usually around the middle of December. Gulmarg comes into own in the four months of winter - mid December to mid April. During this time, Gulmarg experiences at least 2 feet of snow, usually more.

Gulmarg is 53 km from Srinagar along the Baramulla Highway. One of the most beautiful resort towns in the Kashmir Valley, Gulmarg is surrounded by thick ir and deodar forests on three sides, and the peaks of the Affarwat tower above Gulmarg. The most pleasant aspect is that from virtually any point in Gulmarg, you can see the rest of it. During summer, you can take a walk or a ride on horseback around Gulmarg, acros the grassy meadows and the road that runs around the resort for 7 km. 

From May to September, the temperature during the day in Gulmarg seldom exceeds 25 degrees Celsius. At night, light woolens are usually required. October and November are cold during the day - moderate to heavy woolens are necessary. During December to April, temperatures, especially during the night, are well below freezing. Heavy woolens are a must. Walking shoes are necessary throughout the year.  

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

The construction of Taj Mahal, a marble masterpiece, is credited to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who erected this mausoleum in memory of his beloved wife, Arjumand Bano Begum, popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal, who died in AH 1040 (AD 1631). Her last wish to her husband was "to build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before". Thus emperor Shah Jahan set about building this fairytale like marvel. The construction of Taj Mahal was started in AD 1631 and completed at the end of 1648 AD. For seventeen years, twenty thousand workmen are said to be employed on it daily, for their accommodation a small town, named after the deceased empress-'Mumtazabad, now known as Taj Ganj, was built adjacent to it. Amanat Khan Shirazi was the calligrapher of Taj Mahal, his name occurs at the end of an inscription on one of the gates of the Taj. Poet Ghyasuddin had designed the verses on the tombstone, while Ismail Khan Afridi of Turkey was the dome maker. Muhammad Hanif was the superintendent of Masons. The designer of Taj Mahal was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. The material was brought in from all over India and central Asia and it took a fleet of 1000 elephants to transport it to the site. The central dome is 187 feet high at the centre. Red sandstone was brought from Fatehpur Sikri, Jasper from Punjab, Jade and Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire from Sri Lanka, Coal and Cornelian from Arabia and diamonds from Panna. In all 28 kind of rare, semi precious and precious stones were used for inlay work in the Taj Mahal. The chief building material, the white marble was brought from the quarries of Makrana, in distt. Nagaur, Rajasthan.

For photos of Taj Mahal, click here

Pushkar Camel Fair, Rajasthan

Pushkar Camel Fair will be held from 9th to 17th November 2013. Groups of camels, herders and traders begin to appear from out of the desert and set up camp in the dunes around Pushkar. On the dunes, the gathering of camels will reach maximum size by the 9th. There will be lively discussions as groups of vendors and purchasers meet around their animals and negotiators help to arrange deals. The best prices are achieved in a year when the monsoon has been good. This is the best time for photography and the time when you may move around and observe the scene most freely. The fair is traditionally a great meeting place where even marriages may be arranged. Aside from the camel fair, the Pushkar Fair would mean the town, temples and bazaars will become more crowded. The colourful fairground attracts huge crowds with stalls, street vendors, sideshows and giant wheels. The whole event wears a great festive spirit.

Hotels in Jaipur

Jaipur is a very popular tourist destination with the domestic and the overseas tourists alike. No wonder, then, that there are hotels and hotels in Jaipur to suit every segment of tourists. You have high-end five-star hotels and heritage hotels to affordable and budget hotels. Jaipur Marriott, ITC Rajputana, Taj Rambagh Palace, The Oberoi Rajvilas, The Raj Palace Grand Heritage Hotel, Fort Chandragupt, Jai Mahal Palace, The Lalit Jaipur are all luxury hotels. Some other prominent hotels in Jaipur are: Rani Mahal, Umaid Bhawan Heritage House, Samode Haveli, Jas Vilas, Royal Heritage Haveli. 

Jaipur, the Pink City

Jaipur is designed in accordance with Shilpa Shastra, an ancient treatise on architecture. Jaipur follows a grid system and its largely pink palaces and monuments have earned it the sobriquet of 'Pink City'. Today, the city has spread beyond the walls of the old city and continues to grow. It is set for an exponential growth, with the Mumbai-Delhi industrial and freight corridor running along the outskirts of the city planned for a huge expansion. However, a government decree ensures that the walled city maintains its pink look. Beautiful gardens and parks and attractive monuments, once the haunts of the royalty, are still to be found everywhere. Traditional craft like jewelry, metal work, enameling, tie and dye, pottery, leather work, stone carving, and miniature painting, patronized by the rulers in the 18th century, continues to thrive to this day. The city is today a unique synthesis of the traditional and modern. Besides being the capital of the State of Rajasthan, Jaipur is also a bustling trading center. The new city has spacious roads dotted with upmarket luxury showrooms and the old city abounds with congested streets, bazaars and artisan's quarters. Providing a stunning backdrop to the city are the ancient forts and palaces which create a dramatic picture of a bygone era. 

Jaipur has the ancient downtown areas of the Badi and Choti Chowpar, and the Johari Bazaar, that were the mainstay of local jewelers, who account for a large part of Jaipur's economy. These markets retain the old-city feel with their crowded streets, narrow bylanes and crimson buildings from the time when the town was literally painted pink. Today, of course, there are a lot of new areas that have come up conforming to contemporary tastes of living with their modern architecture. 

The choicest place for shopping with locals and tourists alike is the Hawa Mahal market neighboring the two Chowpars for block printed fabrics, accessories, silver ware, puppets and other traditional souvenirs. Eating and outing is as much a custom with the Jaipurias as with their other north Indian counterparts.

Jaipur has an international airport that is just 7 km from the city. It is 260 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Jaipur is also well connected by rail and road. There are trains from Delhi and other parts of the country. The Shatabdi Express from Delhi (under 5 hours) is an excellent rail option. Other rail connections to Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, hmedabad, Secunderabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai. There are regular bus services from Delhi and other north Indian cities including those in Rajasthan.

Places to see:

Hawa Mahal:

A multi-storey imposing red wall of over 140 latticed windows and balconies was built in 1799 by the poet-king Sawai Pratap Singh to enable the queens to view the city processions and revelries in privacy from this airy viewing gallery.

City Palace & Sawai Madho Singh II Museum:

Covering about one-seventh of the old city, this exemplary blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture houses the seven-storey Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace). The complex has a museum which displays jewelry, costumes, arms, chariots, howdahs, palanquins, shawls, carpets, rare manuscripts, miniature paintings and several other items from the royal collection. A very special exhibit worth seeing is the stately outfit of Sawai Madho Singh I, who was 2 meters tall, 1.2 meters wide, and weighed 250 kg.

Jantar Mantar:

This is the largest of the five observatories built  y Jai Singh II in norther India in the 18th century.

Amer Fort Complex:

The original capital of Jaipur State, then called Amer. The famous Sheesh Mahal or the scintillating 'Mansion of Mirrors', Sukh Niwas or 'Palace of Pleasure', frescoed facades of Ganesh Pol, the 'Auspicious Entrance', carved marble columns and arcaded corridors of the halls of public and private audience. These were the stuff that the royal dreams were made of and inspired generations of Mughal emperors to send their artisans to imitate.

For photos of Jaipur, click here

Srinagar, Kashmir, India

Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu & Kashmir, is quite unlike any other, except perhaps Venice. Networked by the Dal Lake, the Nagin Lake and the Anchar Lake, the Jhelum River and its tributaries, you are never farr off from water in the city. It is the very idea that occurred to the British who built for themselves prototypes of the traditional doonga, which became, over time, the world famous houseboats. Of the over 1000 houseboats in Dal and Nagin Lakes, there is a range from which to choose. They are moored to a variety of locations: some overlook crowded stretches of the lake, while others overlook miles of lotus gardens and mountains beyond. Whichever you choose, the houseboat owner and his family will make sure that your stay is a memorable one.

Srinagar also has a wide range of accommodation in the form of hotels. Most of the hotels either face Dal Lake or the Jhelum river. Wherever you stay in Srinagar, the highlight of your trip is sure to be a shikara ride on the Dal Lake. This lake is not a flat stretch of water, but is composed of colonies of communities that have, for centuries, lived on the water. Houseboat owners, shikara men and vegetable gardeners, tailors, general merchants and handicraft sellers -- all live on the lake, leading unique lifestyles.

The Mughal Emperors, starting from Emperor Akbar, turned Kashmir into a sort of summer playground. They built gardens around the lake, from Naseem Bagh, the Garden of Breezes, to Pari Mahal, a spiritual center. The most famous are Nishat Garden, Shalimar Garden and Cheshmashahi. Hari Parbat Fort is the other famous Mughal landmark in Srinagar.

Important places of pilgrimage are the Shankaracharya Temple, on the highest hill in Srinagar, reputed to be over 2500 years old. Khir Bhawani or Tulla Mulla, which has the shrine of the goddess Ragnya Devi, is a pleasant hour's drive out of Srinagar. The shrine is itself surrounded by a pond. The water of the pond changes periodically from blue to green. It is said that before a catastrophe, the water changes to black or even red.

Kashmir also has many ruins of ancient temples: at Avantipora are two temples dating back to the days of an 8th century ruler; Pattan on the Srinagar-Baramullah highway has the ruins of yet another fine old temple, and at Parihaspora are the ruins of a Buddhist vihara complex. The finest structure of all is at Martand in Anantnag, where a ruined sun temple lies atop a hill overlooking fields of rice far below. On the outskirts of Srinagar, at Burzahoma, is the Stonehenge-like remains of a culture that is so old that it is impossible to date with any certainty: it is probably the earliest settlement of the Nagas, or snake-worshippers.

Other places of interest include the Jama Masjid with its imposing structure, supported by 370 wooden columns; Hazratbal Mosque, the only marble mosque in Kashmir with a domed roof, which is the repository of a single hair of the Prophet of Islam, Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara in Rainawari, dedicated to the Sixth Guru of the Sikhs who stopped here during his Kashmir visit, and the 14th century Shah-i-Hamadan Mosque built of timber in the shape of a Stupa. Manasbal Lake, out of Srinagar, is pristine and windswept, with shikaras to take one to a small, unnamed Mughal Garden on the far shore.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands declared new 'Hope Spot'

Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands have been named as the new hope spots by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and oceanographer Sylvia Earle of Mission Blue, an organization involved in the study of oceans. A hope spot is an area of ocean that merits special protection because of its wildlife and significant underwater habitats. 

Andaman & Nicobar have 556 islets with unique flora and fauna. There are around 270 species and sub-species of birds in these two islands of which around 106 have been declared endemic. The Andaman Wood Pigeon, Andaman Padauk and Dugong have been declared the State bird, the State tree, and the State animal respectively. There are about 96 wildlife sanctuaries, nine national parks and one biosphere reserve in the islands.

The Blind Relief Association Diwali Mela 2013, New Delhi, India

Started about thirty years ago, the Blind Relief Association Diwali Mela (Diwali Fair - Diwali is a major festival in India; it is a Festival of Lights) is popular for hand-painted diyas (earthen lamps in which vegetable oil and wicks are used to light up a flame), colorful candles, and artifacts made by the visually challenged. The Diwali Fair is on from 26th October to 1st November 2013. Colorful flower vases, artificial flowers, handicrafts, artificial jewelry, home decor, Chinese toys, Feng Shui items, this Diwali Mela has a lot to offer. This Fair is being held on the grounds of The Blind School near Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi. It raises funds for the Blind Relief Association. Click here for a couple of colorful photographs taken at the Fair this evening

Saffron Festival, Jammu & Kashmir, India: 29-31 October 2013

The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has announced sops for the tourists visiting Kashmir on the occasion of 3-day Kashmir Saffron Festival scheduled to be held from 29th to 31st October 2013 Visoo, Pampore in Pulwama (Jammu & Kashmir). The Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation would provide 50 per cent rebate on lodging and transport charges to the tourists visiting Kashmir. Besides this, private tourism players are also going to give concessions in boarding and lodging on Saffron and Diwali festivals.

The Tourism Department has also made necessary arrangements for bringing tourists from Katra in Jammu to the festival site, while two buses would be kept at the disposal of tour operators for ferrying tourists to Saffron Festival. 

Film show depicting the sowing and harvesting process of saffron, medicinal value of saffron, plucking saffron flowers by the tourists, followed by a cultural show would be the main attraction of the festival. The growers will offer special rebate on saffron and will make tourists aware about the benefits and medicinal values of Saffron.

Pauri Garhwal, India

Pauri Garhwal is blessed with splendid view of snow-bound peaks of Himalayas, scenic valleys & surroundings, meandering rivers, dense forests, and hospitable people with a rich culture. Pauri Garhwal, which is surrounded by the districts of Chamoli, Nainital, Bijnor, Haridwar, Dehradun, Rudraprayag, and Tehri Garhwal, offers a panoramic view of the great Himalayas from its town and villages. The district of Pauri Garhwal spans the foothills of the 'Bhabar' areas of Kotdwara to the soul-lifting meadows of Dhudatoli, sprawling at an altitude of 3000 meters that remains snowbound during the winter months. This is what the official website of the district administration says, and I can personally vouch for it. I was there for a few days some two years back. It was December-end, and it would be an understatement if I say that nature's overwhelming serenity was calming and soul-satisfying. Click here for some photos that I clicked while I was there. 

Winter-Sport Resort AULI, India

Perched along a slope just above the Alaknanda River in the upper reaches of the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, Joshimath is the winter seat of the Lord of Badrinath of famous Badrinath Temple. Over time, Joshimath has changed from being a laid back, transit station for pilgrims to revered shrines of Badrinath Hemkund Sahib, to an independent summer destination and a busy trading center servicing the needs of winter-sport resort of Auli.

Comfortable hotels, telecommunication services including mobile phone facilities and internet cafes, a fairly efficient public transport system, and various modes of entertainment make Joshimath a tourist attraction.

Auli is the winter-sport resort of Uttarakhand. Fourteen km by road above Joshimath, with 4.5 km long slopes, it is among the premier ski resorts of India. With some of the highest mountains in the Indian Himalayas forming a magnificent backdrop, the resort offers excellent facilities for skiing (including a 300 mt long ski lift). 

National Highway 58, that links the interiors of Garhwal to the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, passes through the Joshimath town. The best option to reach there is a combination of rail-and-road journey. The nearest railhead is Haridwar (on the main Delhi-Dehradun line), which is serviced by the early morning Shatabdi Express between Delhi and Dehradun and overnight Mussoorie Express, besides other trains. From Haridwar, the 280 km tourney has to be covered by road on National Highway 58. 

The road route is as follows: Haridwar -- Rishikesh (25 km) -- Kaudiyala (39 km) -- Devprayag (33 km) -- Maletha (29 km) -- Srinagar (9 km) -- Rudraprayag (34 km) -- Gauchar (21 km) -- Karnaprayag (10 km) -- Nandprayag (21 km)  -- Chamoli (10 km)  -- Pipalkoti (17 km) -- Helang (21 km) -- Joshimath (13 km).

The hill road starts at Rishikesh. For most parts, the road negotiates tight curves, except where it stays along the river or climbs up high towards the ridge. For most parts it is a smooth hardtop road, narrow only at places. On the entire journey, you stay along the river Ganges or its constituent, the Alaknanda, and rarely climb very high above it, except between Kaudiyala and Devprayag and between Gauchar and Helang. There are many roadside dhabas (eateries) between Rishikesh and Kaudiyala.

Summer temperatures are warm during the day, though mornings and evenings are comfortably cool. Garhwal mandal Vikas Nigam, a Uttarakhand government facility, has tourist rest houses at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kaudiyala, Devprayag, Srinagar (this Srinagar is a small town in Garhwal on way to Joshimath and Auli and not to be confused with the Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir), Rudraprayag, Nandprayag, Pipalkoti, and Joshimath.

The stretch of the river Ganges between Kaudiyala and Rishikesh is used for white-water rafting, with each section of about 12 km. There are a number of campsites on this stretch. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam also has a rafting site and tourist rest house at Kaudiyala.

A prayag is a confluence where another river/stream joins the river Ganges and each, therefore, is an important pilgrimage. At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda merge to give birth to the river Ganges. Mandakini (coming from Kedarnath in the Garhwal Himalayas) joins the alaknanda at Rudraprayag. Other rivers joining the Alaknanda are Pinder at Karnaprayag, Nandakini at Nandprayag, Dhauliganga at Joshimath and Vishnuganga at Vishnuprayag (en route to Badrinath).

Petrol and service station facilities are available all along the route. Taxis are easily available outside the railway station at Haridwar and near the bus station at Rishikesh. The journey from Haridwar to Joshimath in the taxi can take up to 12 hours.

Auli, primarily, has two attractions - a snow-sports resort in winter and a quiet retreat in summer. Winter-sports season generally starts from the middle of January and lasts till the end of March. This is the period of highest snow precipitation on the slopes. The slopes offer varied gradients suitable for both novices and the experienced, as well as a variety of sports and entertainment - skiing, sledge, snow-scooter etc. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam provides skiing and snow-sports equipment and instructors for casual visitors. They also conduct basic and advanced skiing courses.

Joshimath offers plenty of basic medical services, medical stores, foreign currency exchange facility at the State Bank of India, petrol station, market for daily needs, equipment hire (snow boots, jackets, woolen caps etc.) for skiing and trekking, guides for treks and tour operators, car hire, tourist information, and internet cafes.

Some hotels at Joshimath are: Uday Palace, Clifftop Club, Mount View, Dronagiri. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam's Tourist Rest House at Auli has wooden cottages, deluxe rooms, and dormitories.

Click here to view photos of the confluence at Devprayag, where the rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda merge to give birth to the river Ganges.

Chail, Himachal Pradesh, India

With the zeal of a jilted lover seeking recognition, the erstwhile Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh set out to develop Chail in Himachal Pradesh into to hill station that would rival if not outdo Shimla, the summer capital during colonial India. Built in the late 19th century, Chail became the summer capital of the princely state of Patiala and is perhaps the only hill station to have been built by a princely State.

There may have been a streak of patriotism in the venture, but for the Maharaja it was more a way of getting even with the colonial rulers for having expelled him from Shimla on the charge of flirting with the commander-in-chief's daughter. Not being able to accept the insult of having been expelled from Imperial Shimla, the flamboyant Maharaja began scouting neighboring hills for setting up a township of his own. Such was the backdrop of Chail from which a tiny village set amidst majestic Himalayan deodars rose to become a hill station and the summer resort for the royal house of Patiala.

Legend has it that after selecting the site, work on the summer palace began and it soon ran into trouble. Snakes would emerge out of nowhere and torment the workers. Bhupinder Singh shifted the location after he was asked in a dream to select another site, as the original site was a place where a sage had been laid to rest. The Maharaja had a shrine 'Sidh Baba Ka Mandir' built at the original site, which is revered by many who claim that the sage has powers to grant boons.

The splendid mansion built by the Maharaja became the summer palace of the Patiala royalty. In the midst of Himalayan woods, this property passed into the possession of Himachal Tourism department in 1972 and it continues to retain the grandeur of its princely past. Enclosed by a large elegant lawn with pavilions and fountains, the property has been converted into a Palace Hotel and has become a full-fledged tourist destination.

Being an avid cricketer, the Maharaja had a hilltop flattened to convert it into a cricket field, which was completed by 1893. The ground was also used to play polo, which was a favorite among the royalty during those days.

The woods around are ever-inviting and one can go for light treks along the several trails around Chail. There are several trek routes that lead out of the resort, including the one to Choor Chandni, the highest mountain in the Shivalik range. A small wildlife sanctuary has a variety of wildlife that includes ghoral, kakkar, sambhar, red jungle fowl, and the khalij and cheer pheasants. Fishing is possible on the Gaura river.

Chail can only be reached by road and is 45 km from Shimla via Kufri. One can also go via Kandaghat on the Shimla-Kalka highway. The nearest railhead is at Shimla and the airport at Jubbar Hatti near Shimla. The luxurious Palace Hotel run by Himachal Tourism provides accommodation. Beautifully set in sprawling 75 acres amid thick woods, this regal building built in 1891 offers spectacular views of he Churdhar ranges and the distant plains.

Some other hotels in Chail are: Maple Resort Chail, Chail Inn, Hotel Grand Sunset, Hotel Ekant, Hotel Chail Residency, United 21 Resort Chail, Kailash Hotel, Tarika's Jungle Retreat, Hotel Monaal, Village Live In Resort, Himneel Hotel.

Leh Palace

Built by the Buddhist kings of Ladakh in 1553, the Leh Palace was once the world's highest building. One of the primary attractions within the city of Leh, the palace is structurally similar to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Now, only the palace prayer room lives up to the sense of former grandeur of the palace. Leh, the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Ladakh, is now a dream destination of many and, particularly every adventure enthusiast. For more photos from Leh, click here

Kasauli

Kasauli is one of the small towns in various hill stations developed by the British during the peak of the empire in India. Kasauli is a cantonment and town, established by the British in 1842, and is located 77 km from Shimla and 54 km from Chandigarh. It is a charming hill station with lots of old world charms of the 19th century. Its colonial ambiance is reinforced by stretches of cobbled roads,  quaint shops, gabled houses with charming facades and many neat little gardens and orchards. The narrow roads of Kasauli slither up and down the hillside and offer some magnificent sights. The upper and lower malls run through Kasauli's length and one can enjoy long walks in the anonymity of the sleepy town. A mixed forest of pine, oak and huge horse-chestnut encircles the town. 

Monkey Point is a major tourist attraction in Kasauli, apart from its shopping malls. Monkey Point is a hill which derives its name from Rishi Man-ki who used to worship an idol of Lord Hanuman, and later the summit was crowned with a small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

Colonial architecture is represented by Christ and Baptist churches in the town. There is also the Central Research Institute that makes vaccines. This Institute was established in 1906 by Dr. Sample. 

Some of the prominent hotels in Kasauli are: Kasauli Castle, Winnies Holiday Inn, Birds View Resort, Baikunth Resorts, Hotel Alasia, Kasauli Resort, and Victoria Continental Inn.

To view Kasauli photos, click here

Mukteshwar, Nainital, India

Mukteshwar hill sits high in the Kumaon hills at an altitude of 2286 meters (7500 feet), 52 km from Nainital, 55 km from Haldwani, and 343 km from Delhi. From October through March, the Great Himalayas is clearly visible from Mukteshwar heights, and a 180-degree panoramic view of the Himalayas can be enjoyed. Surely, the place is a photographer's delight. The other sightseeing places in Mukteshwar include Mahadev Mandir of Lord Shiva, Indian Veterinary Research Institute established during the erstwhile British regime, dense forests, trekking routes,  and local handicraft outlets. But the place that must be on top of the list of the tourist is the location where the great bard Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore spent a considerable time writing his Gitanjali that bagged the Nobel Prize for literature. The place is called the Writers' Bungalow. Mukteshwar is a celebrated scenic spot overlooking the Himalayan ranges. Click here to view Mukteshwar photos.

The road driving route from Delhi to Mukteshwar is: Moradabad bypass, Rampur, Haldwani, Bhimtal, Bovali, Ramgarh and ahead. 

Breathtaking photographs from Leh!

For riveting photographs of Leh landscape, visit my facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/India-Travel-Monuments/181897451904824?ref=hl

Kargil-Zanskar Valley

Kargil town, situated midway between Srinagar (Kashmir Valley) and Leh on the Srinagar-Leh highway, is the second largest town of Ladakh and headquarters of Kargil district. In the past, Kargil served as an important trade and transit center for the Central-Asian merchants due its equi-distant location from Srinagar, Leh and Skardo, well-known trading centers on the old trade route network. Being located in the lap of the Himalayas, Karfil serves as an important base for adventure tourism and trips into the Suru and Zanskar valleys. Passengers traveling between Srinagar and Leh have to make night halt here before starting the second leg of their journey.

Kargil is a convenient base for adventure tourism like trekking, mountaineering, Camping, and river-rafting. You can go on day-return excursion into Suru valley to behold the unfolding panorama of the Great Himalayan range. Another interesting excursion option is to visit Dras for seeing Tolo-ling, Tiger Hill, and Mushkoo Valley. Kargil also offers some interesting walks through the suburban villages nestling along the rising hillsides of the river valleys.

Kargil is also known as a base for mountaineering expeditions to the Nun-Kun massif which has six known peaks.

To the south-east of Kargil lies the valley of Zanskar. It is accessible by the 240-km long Kargil-Padum Road which remains open from July till September. The road passes through the Suru Valley and Zanskar begins after crossing of the Panzila pass. As you begin the descent to Zanskar after crossing the pass, the majestic 'Drang-Drung' glacier looms into full view. A long and winding rive of ice and snow, Drang-Durng is perhaps the largest glacier in Ladakh, outside the Siachen formation. It is the source of the Stod or Doda tributary of the Zanskar river.

Zanskar is a tri-armed valley system kying between the Great Himalayan Range and the Zanskar mountains, the three arms radiating towards the west, north and south from a wide central expanse. Here the Zanskar river comes into being by the confluence of its two Himalayan tributaries. It is mainly along the course of this valley system that the region's mainly Buddhist population lives.

Surrounded by high-rise moutains and deep gorges, Zanskar remains inaccessible for nearly 8 months a year due to heavy winter snowfall resulting in closure of all passes. This geographical isolation and the esoteric nature of Buddhism practiced here have enabled its inhabitants to preserve their identity and to live in perfect harmony with the unique environment. There are a number of ancient monasteries, some of which have developed around caves associated with famous Buddhist saints.

Padum is the headquarters of Zanskar which is a sub-division of Kargil district. It is also the base of cross-Himalayan treks and river rafting on the Zanskar. With Padum as the base, you can visit the famous monasteries of Zanskar: Karsha, Stongde, Burdan, Zongkhul and Phukthal.

Hotels in Kargil, Zanskar, and Padum:

Hotel Siachen, D'Zojila, Zojila Residency, Hotel Greenland Kargil, Hotel Caravan Sarai, Royal Guest House, Ladakh Residency, Hotel Pangong, Kargil Continental.

Mountaineering in Leh

Seasoned climbers can look for thrills at 7000 meters up in the Ladakh mountains. The Nun-Kun massif in the Great Himalayan range is possibly the most popular, and requires advance booking. It has six known peaks accessible from the Suru valley. Nearer to Leh is the Stok-Kangri massif in the Zanskar range with over six known peaks.

The climbing season extends from mid-May to mid-October. Climbing expeditions require permission from the Indian Mountaineering Federation. Authorized expeditions are provided rescue coverage.

Leh, India

Locked between the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the Ladakh and the Zanskar Ranges, Ladakh is a high-altitude desert and one of the three geo-cultural regions of the State of Jammu & Kashmir. Ladakh comprises of the two districts of Leh and Kargil. Leh is the principal town of this 'land of high passes, with the only airport in the region located here. Incidentally, this is also the highest commercial airport in the world. During the tourist season (June-Sep), Leh town becomes a melting pot of cultures and nationalities, and everything turns tourist-centric. Culturally, the Ladakhis follow an Indo-Tibetan heritage, though historic immigrants from Kashmir, Gilgit, and Central Asia point to its strategic location on the ancient Silk Route. The passes around Ladakh are snow-bound six months of the year, and the geographic isolation has perhaps been the single biggest influence in the unique culture of the region. Glimpses of the indigenous culture may be found in the villages where the role of oracles and astrologers, a simple diet of barley and wheat, yak wool, and peculiar conservation principles are a way of life. In the town, however, packed provisions and Coke are easily spotted. Buddhism and Islam are the prominent religions in the region though Ladakhis are an extremely tolerant people. In Leh, it is not uncommon to find Buddhist and Muslim families sharing common blood relations. The proximity to the troubled Kashmir appears to have had little impact. With Leh as gateway (and the acclimatization point), most visitors head out to the high-altitude lakes, the valleys of Nubra and Lower Indus, and other surrounding areas. Monasgtery-centric itineraries are a common way of doing the Ladakh circuit. Trekking and rafting on the Zanskar are preferred by the hardy. The travels mostly end in Leh, where the cafes and restaurants buzz with a blissed-out people raving about the stark beauty they were witness to. Ladakh is a huge landscape to explore: think of a week to 20-day break for a memorable holiday in Ladakh!

 Leh's town center extends to a radius of no more than two kilometers and is located about 7 km from the airport. What may be called the Town Square has a historic mosque, a new gompa, terrace restaurants, German bakeries, travel agencies, and curio shops. You can hire bikes around here, check email, refill your water bottles, and buy supplies, souvenirs, carpets, pashmina shawls, dried apricot, books on Tibet and mysticism, and much more. The town center rests against the shadow of the Leh Palace, which is situated on a hilltop. You can reach the palace after a walk through narrow bylanes and a steep 10-minute hike. A road off the main square leads to Changspa village - a little bowl greened by a glacial melt stream, where guesthouses thrive to backpacker culture. Beyond Changspa is the Shanti Stupa, a Japanese creation perched on a hillside, along the road to Khardung La. The polo ground is also in the town center. Most prominent hotels are also located in or around the town center. The town center is usually throbbing till 11 pm during tourist season. The closest historic gompas from Leh are Shey, Thikse, and Hemis. 

There are many hotels to stay in Leh: Welcomheritage Shambha La, Ladakh Sarai, The Grand Dragon Ladakh, Hotel Nalanda Ladakh, The Druk Ladakh, Ladakh Residency, Hotel Lasermo, Hotel Chube, Hotel Caravan Center, Hoel Omasila, Reenam Hotel, Hotel Dragon Ladakh, Lotus Hotel, Hotel Holiday Ladakh, Naro Ladakh, Hotel Mandala, Thongsal, Hotel Kaal, Hotel Kang La Chen, Hotel Kanishka, West ladakh Camp. 

Tamil Nadu, India

For bird watchers and animal lovers, Tamil Nadu has a lot to offer. It has 12 bird sanctuaries, five national parks, and 8 wildlife sanctuaries. Some of the prominent bird sanctuaries are in Vedanthangal, Karikili, Vettakudi, Pulicat, Karaivetti, and Vellode. The major wildlife sanctuaries are at Mudumalai, Mundanthurai, and Point Calimere.

Pichavaram is an ecologically rare zone, 16 km from Chidambaram, where you can cruise through the backwaters of the mangrove forests. Pichavaram is an all-season destination and would be of particular interest to ornithologists. You can find rare species of birds in the 1130 hectares of mangrove forests - spoonbills, storks, cormorants, herons, watersnipes, and pelicans. Pulicat is another ecologically sensitive region. Pulicat Lake is India's second largest saline water lagoon. Located 40 km north of Chennai, Pulicat Lake is a breeding ground for rare birds. The best time to visit this place would be from December till April. The lake supports a rich biodiversity of fish, prawns, crustaceans and plankton that form the principal source of food for the birds!

Mundanthurai is a delightful sanctuary that is home to several endangered species like the tiger, macaque, sambar and chital. Two other major wildlife sanctuaries are Mudumalai and Point Calimere.

Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, India

Yercaud is a quiet hill resort centered around a lake in the Servaroyar hills. The mild climate, combined with breathtaking views, makes Yercaud a must for tourists. The nearest rail station Salem, 32 km away, is served by a number of mainline trains. The Yercaud Express is the most convenient train connection from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. There are frequent buses from Salem to Yercaud. Taxis and autorickshaws are easily available at Yercaud for local travel. Boating and water sports facilities are available in the lake.

Gorgeous botanical gardens, a horticultural farm, and a heritage that dates back to 1800s and speaks for itself are the other attractions in Yercaud. Sterling Resorts has its accommodation in the hill station, Rock Perch. Club Mahindra has its own facility in the name of Lake Forest Hotel, Yercaud. Some of the other hotels that are there in Yercaud are: Clifton Inn, The Regent Hillside Resort, Grand Palace Hotel & Spa Yercaud, Golden Nest Resorts, GRT Nature Trails Hotel, Ahith's Home Stay, Classic Cottage, Grange Resort, Wellington Hill Resort, Star Holiday Resort, Hills Resorts, Star Holiday Inn, Kongu Resorts, Yercaud International, Silver Holiday Cottages, Hotel Shevaroys, Golden Lake View Resorts, Ponkailash Holiday Home. 

Kiliyur Waterfalls is a major attraction in Yercaud. The water from this waterfall flows into the Yercaud Lake and falls 300 feet into the Kiliyur Valley. It makes for a spectacular sight.Another tourist attraction in Yercaud is the Servaroyan temple. It is a beautifully carved cave temple. It is famous for the festival organized by the locals in the month of May.

The Horticultural Farm in Yercaud is home to 5000 varieties of plants. This garden is also sometimes called the Green House. It also has orange trees.  

Chandigarh

Chandigarh, around 300 km from Delhi, is a modern city, one of the first to initiate the concept of town planning in India. Broad avenues divide the city into sectors and the sectors are quartered into zones A to D. The wide tree-lined boulevards and avenues, the Lake and the plush interiors belying the dull exteriors contribute to making Chandigarh a charming place for residents and visitors. 

Chandigarh's vibrancy is reflected in its bustling shopping areas, spilling restaurants and spanking new malls. Many leading restaurants have their outlets in the downtown areas of Chandigarh. Kwality, Ghazal and Mehfil are popular for north Indian cuisine. Sagar Ratna and Moti Mahal restaurants are also quality restaurants that cater to the taste buds of the tourists and residents alike. Some of the bars in Chandigarh are: Score Night Club, Cafe Oz & Bar, Swagath Restaurant & Bar, The Piccadily, Xtronic Club & Lounge Bar, Orchid Lounbge, Whisky 111, Hops n GrainsBrio, Peddlers, Wild West Pub.

The weekend action is clearly on the outskirts of the city, at a huge shopping mall with a multiplex at Mani Majra, and some nightclubs in Panchkula, the twin-city. Some of the sight-seeing places for the tourists are: Rose Garden, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Kalagram - an arts and crafts bazaar. JW Marriot Hotel, Hotel Taj, Aloft Chandigrah, Zirakpur, and Lemon Tree Hotel are top picks in Chandigarh.

Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India

Bangalore, now Bengaluru, is the IT capital of India. India's third largest city and fifth largest metropolitan area, Bangalore is the capital of the Indian State of Karnataka. The city was part of and under the administrative control of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore until it was annexed to the Indian Union following  India's independence in 1947. The city was renamed Bengaluru in 2006.

With an established presence of large IT companies in Bangalore, the high-city is the playground of many global majors. Bangalore has a salubrious climate, extensive green cover and an easygoing lifestyle. Otherwise, Bangalore has a zest that is infectious with vitality and vibrancy. A pub culture is integral to the city and young software professionals elbow for space in the numerous pubs and eating places in the evenings. 

Colonial era buildings are mirrored in the chrome and glass high-rises that dot the city. Bangalore's runaway success is evident in the ever-growing cluster of chrome and steel office complexes, swanky malls and shopping arcades. Thus, it is not only a great place to do business but also to shop. In keeping with the growth of commerce and industry as well as the international tourist traffic, the city has a number of luxury hotels and resorts. The IT city enjoys prominence as one of the most frequented destinations with a high rate of hotel occupancy. Bangalore is also a prominent national and international convention center. Corporate and leisure travel add up to this to make hotel accommodation in Bangalore go at a premium. Some of the luxury hotels in Bangalore are: The Oberoi, The Leela Palace, The Sheraton, The Park, Taj Residency, Taj West End, Le Meridien, Lalit Ashok.

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

KHAJURAHO - A World Heritage Site:

The temples of Khajuraho are India's unique gift to the world, representing a paean to life, love and joy. Perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured at Khajuraho in stone, testifying to the craftsman's artistry and the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela kings. The Khajuraho temples were built in the short span of a hundred years, between 950-1050 AD, in a truly inspired burst of creativity. Of the 85 original temples, 22 still survive, constituting one of the world's greatest artistic wonders. An ultimate tribute to the essence of Creation itself? The spectacularly mounted Khajuraho Sonet-Lumiere Show evokes the life and times of the great Chandela Rajputs and traces the fascinating story of the unique temples from the 10th to the 20th century.

Khajuraho Dance Festival:

The Khajuraho Festival of Dances draws the best classical dancers in India who perform against the spectacular backdrop of the floodlit temples every year in February/March. The next Khajuraho Dance Festival is scheduled from 20-26 February 2014.

Pondicherry, the 'Riviera of the East'

Pondicherry is a quaint little city that retains its French character even 60 years after it merged with the Indian Union. The picturesque and pleasurable drive from Chennai to Pondicherry is 160 km and takes about three hours on the East Coast Road, which is a toll highway. Pondicherry is now known as Puducherry. 

The French connection is still visible in the statues of Dupleix and Joan of Arc, the architecture, and the signboards. The oval shaped city with its neatly aligned streets has been constructed on the lines of French-influenced Mediterranean town planning. Everything about the city has a leisurely pace including the traffic., the only exception being the sea that roars aloud as you drive past. The most popular mode of transport in Puducherry is bicycles. 

The city of Puducherry has a legacy of 19th century churches like the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Eglise de Notre Dame de la Conception, the Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges, the Eglise de Notre Dame de Lourdes and the Chapel of the Sisters of Cluny. The city has an eclectic mix of French and Indian culture. There are more than 350 temples in and around Puducherry. The Varadarajar Temple and  Thirukameswarar Temple date back to the 12th century. 

The journey from Chennai is dotted with amusement centers like VGP Golden Beach, MGM Park, Crocodile Park, etc. On the way is also the majestic shore temple complex of Mamallapuram, also called Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram, Near Chennai (Madras), India

Mamallapuram, also called Mahabalipuram, is one of South India's most popular beach resorts. Located 58 km from Chennai (formerly Madras), Mahabalipuram is just an hour's drive on the East Coast Road with long stretches of beaches and casuarina groves. Mahabalipuram is a delightful mix of sun, surf and sand at the beach side. The beach with its shore temple is a lovely sight to behold. A huge rock precariously perched on a bedrock, and five rock chariots (Five Rathas) chiseled out of a single rock are monuments that belong to the Pallava dynasty and particularly to the reign of Narasimhavarman I Mamalla (630-668 AD). 

Five Rathas (Chariots):

These monolithic temples are known as Rathas as they resemble wooden chariot and it is an innovation of Pallava king Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla) (AD 630 - 668). A huge rock sloping from south to north was utilized to judiciously cut out different forms of temple, besides a few animal sculptures. Though these monolithic temples are termed as Panchapandava Rathas, they have nothing to do with Mahabharata.

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