India is much like the elephant the blind men touch in an effort to figure out what it was. Depending on the part they encountered, each got a different idea of what the animal was. Likewise for some, the spirit of India lies in its busy crowded megapolises. For others, theses are about places far away from the madding crowd - high up in the Himalayas, in the colorful Rajasthan, serene Kerala, enigmatic Munnar, undiscovered Tripura or in the forests of Ranthambhore...!
Located on the eastern fringes of
Delhi, is grand, gorgeous and gigantic.
“Big, big, big.”
That was Mac’s reaction when he was on his way out from the Akshardham
temple. The Spanish tourist had hit the
nail on the head. consecrated in November 2005 by Bochasanwasi Akshar
Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, the temple has earned a place for itself in
the Guinness World Records for its sheer size.
The ‘World’s largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple’, as it
is listed, is a sprawling Rs 200 crore pink sandstone construction spread over
100 acres of land. Made out of panch dhatu in accordance with the Hindu
tradition, the sanctum sanctorum also has idols of prominent Hindu deities.
Designed by Ahmedabad – based architect Veerendra
Trivedi, the monument rests on the shoulders of 148 stone elephants depicting
ancient tales from the Indian scriptures.
The Temple is built according to ancient standards without using any
steel and is designed to last 1000 years. Narayan Sarovar, a water body,
contains waters drawn from the 151 holy rivers visited by Lord Swaminarayan.
A large central monument crafted entirely of stone, an
IMAX cinema, a musical fountain, landscaped gardens and a restaurant that
serves excellent vegetarian food are some of the other attractions.
If Ooty is the `Queen of the Hills`, then Yercaud is a princess. The other districts of the region are hot and humid with the only silver lining, Yercaud.
Yercaud is how the Brits got around the tongue – twister `Yericaud`. Yercaud got its name from the combination of two Tamil words `yer` and kaddu which correspondingly mean lake and forest.
Yercaud is one of the India’s cheapest hill station destinations. Yercaud is so rich in its natural charm and its potential for bountiful discovery that to label it `cheap` would be truly insulting. It’s sometimes referred to as the ``Poor man’s Ooty``, but ``smart man’s Ooty would be nearer the mark. .
In southern India when ever some one talks about a hill station then the two names that come into mind are Ooty and Kodaikanal. No mention is ever made, even in passing, of Yercaud. A majority of people don’t even consider Yercaud as a hill station. Yercaud is as beautiful as Ooty and Kodaikanal but is remarkably cheaper than both of them. May be this is the logic behind calling it as the `Poor Man’s Ooty`.
All along the route to Yercaud one will find monkeys playing high jinks and trees with violet flowers make one wonder where one is heading towards. There is greenery every where which is a new experience, for the city bred. Yercaud is famous for coffee and pepper in much or less the same way, Ooty and Kodaikanal are famous for tea.
The Britishers used Yercaud as summer retreat and their inheritance is all over the place. Rows of houses, much like ants moving in files, speckle the entire hills. The number of places to be seen in Yercaud may not be many, but each one of them is really worth the visit. "October and November are the best months to visit Yercaud. Yercaud is a less expensive place than other tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu and is preferred by the middle class. The entire family can tour Yercaud on a budget of about Rs.1000 by a car. An annual flower show is organized in the month of May. Another major difference between Yercaud and any where else in Tamil Nadu is the difference between the prices.
Located: 35 kms from Salem How to Reach: One hour by bus from Salem Altitude: 1500 metres
I had been planning to visit Kasauli for long. Though I have been to Kasauli earlier also but at that time I just passed from Kasauli on my way to Shillon Bagh. I did not stay there and explored Kasauli. Finally last month while talking with Pooji and Meenu we decided to go there. We decided to leave on Thrusday night as we had a 4 day off in our office ( fri and mon due to some festival and sat and sun is our weekly off.). On thursday as per schedule we hired a CRV and moved out to check out this quiet hill station in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district.
After crossing Nahan (went out of route to pick a friend) the ride was part bumpy, part smooth and part scary when on sharp hair-bend turns the driver continued at the same speed.I knew Kasauli was nearing when the CRV began groaning while negotiating steep winding roads. We got down and began our search for a reasonably priced-yet-good hotel. It was unlike other hill stations where one could spot hotels everywhere. This military town has escaped the ‘touristification’, thanks to the army.
Traffic is regularised, no vehicles allowed into the small market, which still has cobbled path. The two main roads the little hill station has are called the Lower Mall and the Upper Mall. It’s just the name, no rows of shops here. Just half a dozen or so makeshift shops run by Tibetans selling jackets, woollens, T-shirts and other usual stuff one finds at such markets everywhere.
There were few picnickers sipping tea and coffee, as monkeys walked by or jumped from branch to branch on trees around, at a biggish grocery store-cum-restaurant, which had lot of space in front of it for the visitors to sit.
After trying couple of hotels we knew names of we finally settled for a guesthouse situated at the end of the road near old Kasauli overlooking the valley below. The owner proudly told us that when sky is clear I could see Chandigarh from the terrace!
Around 5 PM Kasauli was enveloped by the monsoon mist. It was pretty beautiful sight watching mist trapped in pine trees. I rested for sometime before I got out again and just walked on the roads checking them out where did they lead. I resisted going full hog because it was getting dark and I was not sure where I would end up. While I was exploring and admiring the nature my gang was enjoying in the guesthouse.At night we watched some reality show on MTV and finally fell asleep around midnight.
Meenu got up around 5 in the morning and woke me up. We both went out to see how Kasauli looks in morning leaving all others sleeping as we didn't wanted to waste our time in waking others and waiting for them. The sky was clear so I got some views, which I could not in the evening. There was a chill in the air but it was soft and sweet.
After taking a hot bath, we decided to check out the Upper Mall, which, as my hotel manager claimed, provides best views. It is on this road that all the important buildings are situated. This road has the highest elevation in Kasauli, gives you best views on both sides. Sudhi’s ultimate destination was ‘Monkey Point’. May be he wanted to meet his friends there…monkeys. We were advised to take this road as far as Gilbert’s Trail and then take left turn from near a Litter Box. When the hotel manager told me about this box, I thought he was talking about some Letter Box because he said it was of old style and one certainly did not think of Litter Box being there. When I saw many of them I realised he meant Litter Box. And, what Litter Boxes! A beautiful small hut type box, which did not at all, looked like it contained garbage.
After we reached the signboard of Gilbert’s Trail, we took left turn and the short path connected us to the Lower Mall road. From here turning right takes one to the gate of Air Force Station. One has to collect pass to go up to the Monkey Point as it is under the Air Force control. If you have camera and mobile phones, you will have to leave them behind before you enter the Air Force Station. A 20-minute walk will take you to the Monkey Point. A small temple dedicated to Hanumanji (Monkey God) is situated there. Also, you can view snow-capped mountains from here if the sky is clear.
Sudhi was bit disappointed after reaching there because there were very few monkeys oat the monkey point. He could not meet all of his friends for whom he traveled so much. Bechara Sudhi.
Perhaps the best way to start a journey is without any expectations. That way, even if you find nothing at the end, you can say, “It was just what I expected.” There are no monuments, ancient temples or great waterways that can be explored. Kasauli is no doubt a walker’s town given its peaceful vistas and amazing shortcuts. Do carry along with water and some high energy snacks like chocolates on your rigorous walks.
In the old days when Kasauli was still the Kusowlie, the Britishers used to ride the high ridges of the region by tonga or by pony. Even before the mountains were carved up for constructing the roads, the officers used to trek the woody hills to get to the hub of the cantonment. It might take you a couple of days to get your hills feet, but once you get to reach the peak then there’s nothing better than to follow the footsteps of those who have the courage to stride, where no roads existed…the craggy, pugdundees lined with Kasauli’s glorious chestnut trees.
These walks are even more enthralling when the ancient chestnut trees are in full bloom during the months of April to June. The fragrance of pine flora pervades the air. Occasionally, wild animals like jackals, Hare and Red Hen can be seen across the trail. Also on a clear day one can enjoy the vistas of the snow-clad DhauladharRanges and the ChuriChandniPeak. Kasauli is one such destination that offers solitude, picturesque environs and the opportunities for treks. It may well be described as an absolute paradise where the soul has limitless opportunities to gain that beyond description; something it keeps on longing after.
Significance: One of the twelve Jyotilingas of Lord Shiva
Saivism is one of the dominant faiths in the Indian system of beliefs. Saivite temples constitute a sizable majority of temples in India.
Modern Ujjain lies along the banks of the holy ShipraRiver. It is built upon the ancient city of the Ujjayini. Ujjayini is one of the four cities of legend sanctified by the drop of Amrit which fell on the spot after the Amrit Manthan, when ambrosia was churned from the ocean depths.
The SoaringMahakaleshwarTemple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The mention of the temple has been done in Several Puranas of the Hindu Mythology. The names of Kalidasa and Ujjain are for always linked together. Kalidasa, have sung the praises of the temple. Lord Shiva is also known as the 'Mahakal' and suggesting the eternal existence of the Almighty. The Jyotirlinga is said to be 'Swayambhu' (self-manifested) as it obtained its power from within itself, not like the other 11 lingams that were established ritually by chanting 'mantra'. There is another reason which makes it different from the other temples any where on the Earth is that the prasada offered here to the deity can be re-offered.
The temple is also known as the 'Dakshinamurti', as the image of the lord kept in the temple faces the southern direction. This is the only Jyotirlinga where the idol of the lord faces south. Another form of Lord Shiva, Omkareshwar is places above the shrine at the sanctum. The site is festooned by the images of Lord Ganesh, Parvati and Kartikay, which are placed in the west, north and east direction respectively. In the south, there is an image of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s Cow. The third storey at the sanctum consists of an idol of Nagchandreshwar (another form of Lord Shiva). The “darshan” of Nagchandreshwar are available only on the day of Nagpanchami.
Ujjain along with the Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Benares, Kanchipuram, and Dwarka is considered to be the 7 Mukti Stalas in India. A Kumbha Mela is organized in Ujjain when Jupiter resides in the zodiac sign of Scorpio.
Distance:
54 kms from Indore, 183 kms from Bhopal
Getting There:
There are several trains which connect Ujjain with rest of the nation. Ujjain Junction Railway Station lies on the Western railway zone. The nearest airport serving to the Holy town is Indore. Regular bus services are available from Indore, Gwalior, Ahmedabad and Bhopal to Ujjain.
Best time:
According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is considered as the destroyer of the Universe. 'Mahashivratri' is a major festival that is celebrated here in the temple with full enthusiasm and dedication. On the eve of Mahashivratri, a grand fair is held in the environs of the temple. Through out the night, prayers and worship are offered to the Lord Shiva. To celebrate the festival and pay homage to the lord people flock here from all over the World.
Accommodation in Ujjain:
There are a plenty of accommodation options available at Ujjain. One can chose from the kind of accommodation according to his requirements and budget. During Kumbha Mela, Mahashivratri and Nagpanchami it is advisable to book your rooms in advance. One can also opt to stay at Indore which is about an hour drive from Ujjain.
The HINDUS HOLIEST CITY, VARANASI IS PERPETUALLY overflowing with pilgrims. To visit it once in a lifetime is every Hindu’s goal; to die here is to have the greatest chance of moksha (salvation). It is, therefore, not an easy city for a person to visit.
Walk down to the river for a boat ride, either early in the morning or in the late afternoon when the sun’s rays are enjoyable rather than punishing. Give this city some time: zipping in for a dawn boat ride and then out again is rarely satisfying. Varanasi is about watching a nonstop pilgrimage city going about business. A city as old as Babylon, Varanasi is, for Hindus, quite simply Kashi (city of Divine Light). Of the Hindu’s seven Sacred Cities, it is the most sacred. The others are the Haridwar, Ujjain, Mathura, Ayodhya, Dwarka, and Kanchipuram. Each is dedicated to Shiva or Vishnu, except Kanchipuram which is dedicated to both.
Thus, although it is a center for Hindu culture and has fine music and art. From the most humble upward, pilgrims often make their yatras by bus on excursion, singing bhajans along the way.
Varanasi was already thriving 2,500 years ago when Buddha came to Sarnath to deliver his first oration making it sacred to Buddhists, too. Later, Muslims periodically plundered the city: the widowed Shah Jahan Forbade temple- rebuilding, and pious Aurangzeb converted one temple into a mosque. Early British arrivals wrote of being intoxicated by Varanasi’s exoticism and mystery. Winding your way through the maze of narrow, filthy alleys swarming with cows and pilgrims, you feel something of this as you peek into temples of all sizes, some simple, some flashy, like Tulsi Manasmunda, funded by the Birla family. Pilgrims flood in and out of then ceaselessly.
Despite the city’s squalor- for no other word will fit – the holiness of Varanasi has been the inspiration for some of the most sublime creations in Hindu culture. Classical music was nurtured in the temples and today the city produces many of the India’s top musicians and stages important music festivals.
Getting there:
Varanasi is well connected and accessible to major Indian cities and tourist spots. There are daily domestic flights and trains to and fro from Varanasi. Varanasi also has a good network of roads connecting it with the nearby places.
Accommodation:
There are several options ranging from hotels, resorts, lodges, guest houses, dharamshala’s etc.
Best time to Visit:
Any time is the best time to take a holy dip in the sacred water of GangaRiver.
"Sail from antiquity to eternity on the Ganga and let spirituality immerse you."
The dominant force of eastern India is the Ganga. Its hundreds of Tributaries trickle down the Himalayan slopes, link up into rivers, and create the life- giving Gangetic Plain Delta. The Ganga flows past Knur, near Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, and then continues to Allahabad, where it takes in the YamunaRiver, which has already watered Delhi and Agra. Then further it flows through Varanasi and into Bihar state. Here, at the city of Patna, major tributaries swell its waters: the Ghaghara, the Son, and the Gandak. Soon the GreatRiver begins to split into hundreds of threads to become the vast delta whose blessings of nourishment and punishments of flooding are shared by West Bengal and Bangladesh.
The Ganga is sacred to Hindus. A Hindu’s Ganga Yatra (journey, pilgrimage) begins at the river’s source, Gangotri, near Rishikesh then descends to Haridwar, Allahabad, and Varanasi. At each stop the river’s water is revered: just a few droplets, not a hard scrub, can purify. The Ganga’s water is especially purifying since Hindus believe it to be the goddess Ganga flowing eternally from the summit of MountMeru, the abode of the gods, down through Shiva’s matted locks. To bathe in the waters is to cleanse oneself of the Karma of previous and current lives and so be prepared for death and rebirth into a better life. Hindus from all over India attend the mass ritual bathing that take place during the Kumbh Mela festival held every three years at one of Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik and Ujjain in turn. Of these, Allahabad, also known as Prayag (confluence) because the Yamuna and Ganga meet there, is especially sacred so the Kumbh Mela held here is known as Maha Kumbh Mela: the city also has an annual Magh Mela.
At Chunar, Upstream from Varanasi, the Ganga turns sharply north and then makes a great arc through the holy city. This combined with the high west banks and the flat land on the east banks, creates an extra ordinary, almost tangible bowl of light, especially at sunrise. Hindus have for centuries thought of Varanasi as Kashi (City of Divine Light), or as Kashika (The Shining One), referring to the light of Shiva.
Historically, the Gangetic Plain was the hearth of Indian Culture, and settlements spread east ward from this core region more than three millennia ago. The Ganga was a highway for east – west trade across the subcontinent, and it irrigated and fed the soil to produce rich farmland. Thus, early cities such as Patliputra (Patna) grew to be capitals of great empires. Later, the Mughals made Allahabad one of their capitals. The British pushed their influence up the Ganga from Calcutta to protect their vital trading route.
Today the rich alluvial plains formed by deposits from the HimalayanMountains form one of the world’s most densely populated regions. Deforestation of the HimalayanMountains means additional silt is carried down river and helps cause flooding: more than a third of Bangladesh is flooded annually. Ironically, this rich silt is essential to the nourishment of the rice crops being intensively farmed throughout the GangaBasin.
Kerala is bestowed with some ancient traditional art forms that are still today performed with the same zeal and enthusiasm. We discuss here two art forms.
Kathakali
The art form of Kathakali is the oldest forms in the world, which crystallized at around the same time as Shakespeare was scribbling the plays, though elements of it stem from 2nd-century temple rituals. The Kathakali performance is the dramatized presentation of a play, usually based on the Hindu epics the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas. All the great themes are covered – righteousness and evil, frailty and courage, poverty and prosperity, war and peace. Drummers and singers accompany the actors, who narrate the story through their precise movements, particularly mudras (hand gestures) and facial expressions. Traditionally, performances took place in temple grounds and went from 8pm until dawn, now shorter performances in other open-air locales, as well as indoor halls are also popular.
Preparation for the performance is lengthy and disciplined. Paint, fantastic costumes, highly decorated headpieces and meditation transform the actors both physically and mentally into the gods, heroes, and demons they are about to play. You can see cut down performances in tourist hot spots all over the state and there are Kathakali schools that encourage the visitors. Many temples festivals across the state feature all night Kathakali Shows.
The performances in Kochi are accompanied by instrumental as well as vocal aids. The expressions are suggested by the delicate hand movements and are complemented by the movements of the face, particularly, the eyes. The dance form is believed to have originated from the dance drama called Ramanattam. At Kochi, the Kathakali dance has a significant part of the socio-cultural sector of the entire state of Kerala.
Kalariyappayat
Kalariyappayat is an ancient tradition of martial training and discipline. Still taught throughout Kerala, Some believe it is the forerunner of all martial arts. Its roots can be traced back to the 12th century when skirmishes among the many feudal principalities in the region were common.
Masters of Kalariyappayat, called Gurukkal, teach their craft inside a special arena called a Kalari. The Kalari is a part gymnasium, part school, and part temple. Its construction follows traditional principles: its rectangular design is always aligned east-west and Hindu deities are represented in each corner.
Kalariyappayat movements - the foundation of choreography that uses the actor’s bodies and gestures as the primary tools of expression – can be traced in Kerala’s performing arts, such as Kathakali and Kootiattam (traditional Sanskrit drama), and in ritual arts such as Theyyam.
“Bahubali lords over the town near Hassan in Karnataka”
Shravanabelagola is a small township tucked away between the Indragiri and Chandragiri hills. A visit to Shravanabelagola, an important Jain pilgrimage centre, about one hour from Hassan(Karnataka) is easily done if you are in the vicinity. Lord Gomateshwara’s statue in the city occupies a significant place in the Jain legacy of Karnataka. It is here that Chandragupta, the founder of the Mauryan dynasty, became an ascetic after relinquishing his throne. It is believed the Sravanabelagola reached its peak under the patronage of Gangas of Talakad as far as the architectural and scriptural legacy of the city is concerned. The gigantic monolith of Lord Gomateshwara or Lord Bahubali as he is also called, in Shravanabelagola is an ideal example of that brilliance.The statue is set atop the Vindhyagiri hills, also called Indragiri. Lord Gomateshwara is depicted completely nude in accordance with certain beliefs. The 55- ft- high monolith can be seen towering over the city from several Kilometers away. There are some inscriptions written on the slabs near the right and left foot of the image of Lord Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola. The inscription on the right hand slab is as follows:
The first two lines of the inscription state that “Chamunda Raja caused to be made the image, at the foot of which the inscription is engraved, and the third line states Gamgaraja caused to be made the buildings which surround the image. Every 12th year, during the Mahamastaka Abhishekam ceremony, the monolith of Gomateshwara is anointed with thousands of tons of coconut milk, Jaggery, curd, bananas and flowers by Jain Pilgrims. It is belived that only the blessed get to perform the rituals. Thousands arrive at Sravanabelagola to witness the event of a lifetime. The last Mahamastaka Abhishekam which was conducted round February 8 to19, 2005, had drawn the attention of not just India but the entire world.
Distances: 157 km of Bangalore, 211 km of Mangalore, 103 km of Mysore, 50 km of Hassan
Getting There: The nearest airport is in Bangalore (157 kms). Hassan, the nearest railhead is connected with Mangalore, Mysore and Bangalore. The Bangalore Mangalore Highway (NH48) passes from Hassan and Sravanabelagola, which is only 10 km from Channarayapatna, also on highway. KSRTC buses ply regularly from Bangalore and Mangalore.
Accommodation: Most of the accommodation is run by a local Jain organization, where as there are several private hotels. One can also opt for a stay at Hassan. Best time: Any time of the year, avoid during summer as it is really hot summer. October to march is the best time to visit.
The open county makes wildlife
viewing at Kaziranga fairly easy. A day`s outing is often sufficient for
visitors to see most of the major species here. Elephants take them into the
park at the early morning hours. The three most famous and the endangered
species at the park are the Great Indian One – Horned Rhinoceros, Hoolock
Gibbons and the Wild Buffaloes
Great Indian One-Horned
Rhinoceros
The rhino’s are usually found in
Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and in Assam, India. They are confined to the tall
grasslands and forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Indian Rhinoceros
can run at speeds of up to 25 mph (40 km/h) for short periods of time and are
also excellent swimmers. They have an excellent sense of hearing and smell, but
relatively poor eyesight.
However, no more than 2,000 remain
in the wild with Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India (1,200) and Chitwan
National Park (CNP), Nepal (600). Despite joint efforts made by Bhutan and
India, the survival of a small population of rhinos living along the
Indo-Bhutan border in Manas still remains doubtful.
The Indian Rhinos are brownish-gray
in color and are hairless. They have knobby skin that appears to be
armor-plated. Indian rhinos are the largest amongst the Asian rhinos. The
male Indian rhinos weigh approximately 2,200 kg (nearly 1,000 pounds) and have
a height ranging between 170 to 186 cm (67 to 73 inches) and are 368 to 380 cm
(145 to 150 inches) long. Females are smaller in size and weigh only 1,600 kg
(726 pounds) and standing 148 to 173 cm (58 to 68 inches) tall. Female Indian
rhinos are 310 to 340 cm (122 to 134 inches) long.
The Indian and Nepalese governments
have taken several steps towards Indian Rhinoceros conservation with the help
of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Hoolock Gibbons
The hoolock gibbons are also known
as the hoolocks, one of the most important attractions of north east India’s
wildlife. The hoolock gibbons are two primate species belonging to the family
of the gibbons. Hoolocks are the second largest in size of the gibbons, after
the Siamang. Normally there size ranges between 60 to 90 cm and weighs about 6
to 9 kg. Both male and female gibbons are almost the same size, but they differ
considerably in colors. Males are black colored with notable white brows, while
females have a grey-brown fur, which is darker at the chest and neck. They have
white rings around the eyes and around the mouth which give there face a
mask-like appearance.
The range of the hoolocks is the
most northwestern of all the gibbons, extending from Assam in North-East India,
to Myanmar. Small populations (in each case few hundred animals) live also in
the eastern Bangladesh and in southwest China. The Hoolocks live together in
monogamous pairs, which stake out a territory. Their diet mainly consists of
fruits, insects and leaves.
Young hoolocks are born after a
seven month gestation, with a milky white fur. Their life expectancy in the
wild is about 25 years.
Wild Buffaloes
Wild Buffalo are one of the
endangered species and a favorite kill for tigers is thought to survive in
India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan and Thailand. In India, the wild buffaloes are
found in Assam and Chhattisgarh. Occasional sightings of the animal - called
the Asiatic Water Buffaloes - have also been reported. In India it is mostly
found in Kaziranga National Park. As per the last count in 430 sq km area of
Kaziranga, the number of wild buffaloes was around 1400. Wild buffaloes are
also important to the grassland ecosystem as they help in plant rejuvenation.
The crossbreeding with domestic buffalo as well as shrinkage and destruction of
the habitat were considered major threats to the wild buffalo’s survival in the
range. The animal is protected by the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. The
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the animal
as endangered in its red list of threatened species.
It was the first time when my entire family planned to go out for an outing. Generally one or the other member is to be absent. May be it was the call of lord Krishna or his blessings that we all went together to Mathura – Brindavan. My father and my brother two males in the house are totally opposite and so are my sis and my mom. My parents got up early and got ready and we three naahhh…wat u think we wld be doin…??Gud guess!! We were in our beds. We had a plan to move early so that we could reach there in morning hours but we got late and were left with very little time with us to visit all the temples. We couldn’t stretch our stay as my dad had an appointment with his doctor and all of us had to attend our office the next day. All the temples in Mathura and Brindavan get close at around 1 pm, so we had to hurry up. Though we were able to pay homage at all the temples but all in a hurry. Apart from the time we faced many other problems and I noted some points to have a fulfilling pilgrimage in future and which I intent to share with all so that reading this blog can have a fulfilling and a relaxed pilgrimage.
Never try to do more than two or three major temples in a day. There is too mush to see and experience in each of them.
Look out for a booklet on the history of the temple from the office or shop. It will tell you what to see in the temple, the significance of the deities and what offerings may. Hire a guide if available
Start early. Most temples open by 6 am and the early morning worship is always a wonderful experience. Also, it is wiser to avoid the bigger temples after 10.30 am, especially if it is summer. The granite paving stones of the praharams get unbearably hot and covering the vast spaces between one shrine and another within the complex will be difficult.
Most temples close by noon and reopen only around 4 pm. Use this time for eating lunch, resting and traveling to your next destination so as to manage your time best.
Upon entering a temple, look for the temple tank. It is customary to wash your feet in it and sprinkle a little water on your head before entering the temple proper. Traditionally, the subsidiary deities at the entrance are worshiped before going onto the main sanctum. This could be Vinayaka in a Shiva temple and Garuda in a Vishnu Temple. Its also customary to pay respects to the mounts of the deities, the Nandi or lion outside the sanctum you should visit first, the god’s or the goddess – this varies from temple to temple.
Try not to spill the vibhuti or kumkum given to you as prasadam on the ground. Some temples have convenient little bowls attached to the pillars into which you can deposit the powders. Many do not. Carry two plastic bags with you so that you can deposit vibhuti in one and kumkum in the other.
Traditionally, the sanctum is not circumambulated just once. Devotees go around it at least two time s or, better still, three times. In the case of the Navagraha sanctums, nine times is prescribed and at least three are advised.
It is customary to prostrate only at the flagstaff outside the main sanctum, with your head facing the east or the north.
Sit for a few minutes in the temple before leaving: think over your experience, soak in the atmosphere – it leaves you feeling refreshed.
If you would like to give alms outside a temple, keep a separate bag of coins ready. It’s tough to rummage in your bag for change amidst the clamor.
Recently I was in Manali and I found that through out the year there are several adventure activities that are carried out in Manali and adjoining areas. But it was very difficult for a tourist to find what to do n whom to contact for these activities. This blog of mine focuses on some of such activities, details of the persons to be contacted, cost for the same, etc….
Camping
Season- April to middle of June & middle of September to the first half of October
Camping Grounds- Beas Kund Camp near Rohtang pass, Raison, and Shoja, Solang valley.
Contact – Your hotel, Tour Operators, Mountaineering Institute.
The variation in the physiographic features of Himachal Pradesh attracts hundreds of people every year to Manali camping. Far away from the hustle bustle of the city life, Manali is located amidst the Himalayas. The dense woodlands, cedar forests, the sparkling streams and the crisp mountain air give peace of mind and relaxation to the nature lovers.
Camping in Manali at once means resting in the lap of Mother Nature. The composed beauty with the pleasing breeze takes away the exertion that one feels.
The experienced and high altitude campers can’t resist the region of ladakhi Manali. At Solang valley the camping is combined with luxury amidst the lush green meadows. This apart there are various other camping grounds accessible from Manali including the Malana, Pulga, Kheer Ganga, Triund, and McLeod Ganj region.
The equipments, training, safety precautions as well as experienced educators and guides are also available in Manali for reference.
Mountaineering
Season- April to middle of June & middle of September to the first half of October
Region - Beas Kund region, lower ridges of Hanuman Tibba, Deo Tibba, Chandertal and Malana glaciers
Contact – Your hotel, Tour Operators, Mountaineering Institute.
Mountaineering training can be arranged through the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports. Mountaineers need permission to climb most of the peaks. Peaks in Kullu valley offer challenging recreational area for Indian and International expeditions as well. With an average altitude of 5,000 to 6,000 meters, experienced mountaineers from all over the world have tried these peaks.
The Beas Kund region, the lower ridges of Hanuman Tibba (5930m) and Deo Tibba (6001m) are the suggested areas for mountaineering for beginners. Beas Kund, Chandertal and Malana glaciers are the most popular among ice climbers.
However you should be alert and aware of the symptoms of the acute mountain sickness.
Trekking
Season- April to middle of June & middle of September to the first half of October
Trekking area - Beas Kund
Pin Parvati to Spiti,
HamtaPass to Lahul.
Contact – Your hotel, Tour Operators, Mountaineering Institute.
Manali offers some amazing trekking, particularly in the foothills of the Himalayas, with temples, Buddhist monasteries, remote lakes and mountain passes as popular destinations.
Manali is a popular starting point for organized mountain treks. Most agencies offer multiday treks. Popular options include Beas Kund, the Pin Parvati trek and the HamtaPass to Lahul.
Costs around Rs 450 to 650, depending on the number of persons.
White water rafting in Kullu valley is done on river Beas. One can start from a small village Pirdi, which is 4 kms ahead of Kullu town till Jhiri. It’s a stretch of approximately 14 kms. The rafting can be dune from Apr 15th till Jun end. The journey takes nearly about one. Rafting begins at around 10 o' clock in the morning at Pirdi. It takes about one and half hour to reach Pirdi from Manali. The activity requires one full day
Skiing Glide
Season- Through out the year
Contact –Tour Operators, Mountaineering Institute
The skiers are taken to a hilltop by a helicopter den they glide down the Himalayas on Skies or do the new trendy sport - Snowboarding. Only experienced Skiers and Snowboarders can perform it. Manali is known for having one of the deepest snow packs in the entire Himalayas.
Hang-Gliding
Costs around Rs 1200 for 15 mins
Hang-Gliding is a newly introduced activity practised at Billing. Billing is 14-km from Bir and is considered to be the best sites for hang-gliding in the world. An annual hang-gliding tournament is also held over here.
A Glider using air current without an engine power usually performs hand gliding. One can fly as long as one wishes once he has acquired good experience.
The paragliding is done at primarily SolangValley, located 14 kms from Manali and other locations like Marhi, Fatru, and Bijli Mahadev etc. Usually two kinds of paragliding are done here:
Short flights: The tourist is taken 100 - 150 mts up the slope and takes a flight along with the pilot in a two-seater paraglider. The flight lasts for approximately 60 - 90 seconds.
High flying: Approximately 20-30 minutes of time is taken. It is conducted at Fatru, Kothi and Bijli Mahadev. Experienced pilots who have done short flights can only do the high flying.
Zorbing
Season- Summers
Costs around Rs 200 for 20 min
Contact –Tour Operators, Mountaineering Institute
Zorbing is a leisure activity. It involves rolling down a slope in a helium balloon. The balloon is usually transparent, double-hulled sphere made from PVC. The pleasure of hanging from the walls of the big ball while it rolls is a definitive thrill for both adult and young. The zorbing can be experienced at the grass meadows around Manali.
Jeep safari
Costs around Rs 2000 per day
Contact –Tour Operators, your hotel
Exploring the untouched, some of the most wild, unpolluted, uncommercialised environments and primitive environment of manali in an open zeep is fascinating. It can also be arranged to Ladakh Lahaul and Spiti visiting monasteries, passes, and glacial lakes with accommodation in tents or village guest houses.
