Dazzling drama on Kanchenjunga: Tiger Hills

It is as close to heaven as you can get. Every day, hundreds of tourists wake up at the crack of the dawn and make their way to Tiger Hills, situated 13 km away from Darjeeling. It is freezing, the sun is not up, but people still leave the cozy comfort of their hotels for an amazing experience. All eyes are directed towards the dark silhouette of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world.

The name is derived from Kanchen and Dzonga, literally meaning five treasures of snow, that is, the five peaks. It is almost eerie, staring at something looming large in front of you with no idea of what to expect. And then, suddenly, as if by magic, the first rays of the sun strike the peak. Everyone waits with bated breath for the drama being played out between heaven and earth.

A small fraction of the peak glistens. Within minutes, the entire peak is bathed in gold. Everyone absorbs the sight and many talks animatedly about their experience and try to capture the magic on camera. The lucky ones are gleeful, while others rely on their memory for what they describe is the experience of a lifetime.

Getting There:

Darjeeling is 94 km from Bagdogra, the nearest airport. The nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri which is well connected with rest of the country. (I took a flight to Bagdogra via Kolkatta, from airport hired a cab.)

Taj Mahal -- Love’s Labour Won

Taj Mahal is undoubtedly India’s most prized architectural marvel and one of the world’s finest. Often described as India’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’, the Taj has inspired innumerable poets, musicians and painters from across the globe for centuries. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan got this monument constructed in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

The construction of the monument required the skill, expertise, and labor of 20,000 workers and artisans. Work began in 1631 and ended 22 years later. The story has it that it took a fleet of 1,000 elephants to transport the construction material, sourced from various parts of India and central Asia to the construction site.

The main edifice comprises five main elements: Darwaza or main gateway, Bageecha or garden, Masjid or mosque, Naqquar Khana or rest house, and Rauza or the mausoleum. For visitors, a trip to India is incomplete without paying a visit to the monument, which has also been included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World. For Generations, the Taj Mahal has been an emblem of love exquisitely portrayed in marble.

Malls and Memsahibs: Shimla

The capital of Himachal Pradesh has some the world’s finest examples of British colonial architecture. Inspired by the Renaissance in England is the greystone Viceregal Lodge on Observatory Hill. Also known as Rashtrapati Niwas, it was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. It was also the venue for many important decisions that changed the fate of the subcontinent.

Given its history, it is quite befitting that it is the only building in Shimla that occupies a hill by itself Interestingly, the Lodge has electricity by 1888, the only place in Shimla that did in those days. After Independence, the Lodge continued as the summer retreat of the President of India.

Similar to Delhi’s Viceregal Palace, it was here that the Viceroy hosted parties and entertained Princes and nawabs. In the early Sixties, President S. Radhakrishnan, a leading Philosopher and also a writer, and then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru decided to make it a scholar’s hub where the best minds would find an ideal retreat. Today, it is appropriately occupied by the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies.

Getting There:

The nearest airport is at Jubberhatti (26 km). Shimla is connected by a broad gauge train line up to Kalka. From Kalka, the six-hour journey crosses 103 tunnels. It is considered to be the best way to enjoy the scenic beauty en route. ( I took an overnight Volvo bus from Delhi to Shimla)

French Alliance - Puducherry

 Rue Romain Rolland Dupleix… they’re in India... they’re in Puducherry.

White French villas and flowerpots in balconies complete the picture perfect look of this quaint town. An erstwhile French colony, some of the streets continue with their original names and spellings. 

Many residents still converse in French and even the local police wear a uniform that was designed the colonial rule. The French Riviera of the East has the statue of Joan of Arc and the Government Palace that are considered relics of French culture.

 No visit to Puducherry is complete without paying respect at the Aurobindo Ashram set up by Sri Aurobindo. Frequented by the spiritually inclines, the ashram stands out for its simplicity. The samadhis of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother are situated in the center of a courtyard that is covered by trees. One can almost hear the sound of the wind ringing in your ears as you spend a few moments in this place. 

Puducherry is also famed for its beaches, all lying close to the heart of the city. It’s a place where Paradise and Mahe are than the name of beaches… they stand for the essence of the city.

Grand Designs -- Mahabalipuram

Its all about fine sculptures, towering temples and silvery beaches

Renowned for its sea shore temples, Mahabalipuram is a tiny seaside village set in a boulder-strewn landscape near Chennai. Located on the Bay of Bengal, Tourists are drawn by the miles of unspoiled beaches and rock-cut art that the hamlet offers. The Sculptures here, following the Dravidian style of architecture, showcase day-to-day life, in contrast to the other temples in Tamil Nadu which generally depict gods and goddesses.

Mahabalipuram art can be divided into four categories: open air bas-relief, structured temples, man-made caves, and raths or chariots. Arjuna’s Penance and the Krishna Mandapa have been etched on massive rocks near the center of the village. The beautiful shore temples tower over the waves behind the protective breakwaters.

Panch Pandava Rathas, Krishna Mandapa, Vraha Cave and Krishna’s Butterball are the other prominent temples in Mahabalipuram. In addition to the beautiful etchings and carvings in stone, the place also offers the traveler the shade of rows of casuarinas trees and calm stretches of silvery beaches.