Har Har Gange...!!

"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 Yamuna River, 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 Great River 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 Mount Meru, 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 Himalayan Mountains form one of the world’s most densely populated regions. Deforestation of the Himalayan Mountains 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 Ganga Basin.

Travelling Tips

Ah … at last I m back home and now its time to write down my experiences and share it with all … Well, this time I went on a trip to Kerala. During my all past trips I have faced many problems and learnt many things. There are various safety measures that one should take care of while traveling. Specially, when you are a girl, but I must mention, these days it’s not safe for guys even. A traveler should be prepared for every thing. Below I am mentioning some of the precautions that one should take care of….

* You should always plan your trip in advance and if possible then by
a registered, qualified and recognized tourist guides.
*Leave your itinerary, expected date of return, hotel’s name, address
and number with your friend and family members.
* Don’t carry too much of hard cash with you.. Instead prefer for cards or
traveling Cheque.
* Keep a record of your cards with you.
* Keep all the important numbers handy.
* Do not count cash in open.
* Avoid wearing expensive jewellery, provoking clothes.
* Always carry your purse close to your body, or your wallet in an inside
front pocket or wear a money pouch.
* Keep a record of the content of checked luggage.
* Keep your room locked at all times
* Hand the key in at the desk when you leave the hotel.
* Try not to look like a tourist by making obvious that it is your first time
in the area.
* It is better to explore in groups and stick to well-lit busy streets.
* Be attentive and always keep an eye on what's going on around you.
* If you think someone is following you, take out your cell phone and pretend
to make a call. Say the word police with enough volume for the person
following you to hear.
* Avoid going out unnecessarily in odd hours.
* Ask your hotel staff to arrange a cab for you
* Know about the place where you are heading towards before you start
the trip. Get a map of the route and study it.
* Make sure that the car is in a good condition; learn how all the windows,
door locks and other equipment work before you leave.
* Keep the doors of your car locked at all times and wind the windows up.
* If your car is bumped by another car, think before you get out. If you are
in doubt or feel uncomfortable, signal to the other driver to follow you to
a nearby police station or a busy, well-lighted area where it is safe to
get out.
* Do not ask strangers to take you a group picture no matter how friendly
they seem.
* Look around you and be aware of your surroundings. Remember, an area is not
safe just because you are familiar with it.
* Walk actively and confidently. You must always try to make eye contact with
the people around you.
* Carry your bag around your neck and diagonally across your body. Do not
carry it hanging over one shoulder. You may as well clutch your bag and
hold it to the front.
* Put your wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket not a back pocket.
* If a vehicle follows you, never try to outrun it. Turn and walk in the
opposite direction. React by yelling or shouting if possible.
* Hide your cell phone and do not walk around talking on a cell phone, as it
will distract you.
* Avoid taking short cuts through deserted areas such as parks, empty areas
and passages.
* Do not feel embarrassed to leave an uncomfortable situation.
* Select sightseeing companies and guides carefully. Make sure they are
legitimate. Check with your hotel staff for recommendations.
* When asking for directions, first look for a police officer or another
public employee (i.e., bus driver)
* Pickpockets are often attracted to crowded places. Be aware of someone who
bumps, shoves or gets too close.
* Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries, flares, a fire extinguisher, and
first aid kit
* If you stop overnight, remove bags and other valuables from the car and
take them inside.
* Purses, wallets, checkbooks and other credential items should never be left
in an unattended under any circumstances.
* If the room key is lost, ask for a different room, or ask for the locks to
be changed.
* Don’t open the door with out checking. Use peephole, if available, or talk
through the locked door. If someone claims they are from maintenance,
security or a hotel employee, phone the front desk to make sure the visitor
is legitimate.
* Label all pieces of luggage with your name, address, and phone number, both
inside and outside. For the outside label be sure to use a tag that closes,
so the information can't be read by a passerby.
* Always lock your hotel room door, even if just going for ice. Check
sliding glass doors, windows and connecting room doors.
* If your credit cards have been lost or stolen, always notify the police and
your credit card company immediately. If credit cards are not reported
missing, they can be used.
* Remember that alcohol consumption diminishes awareness.
* Avoid discussing your travel plans with strangers.
* Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
* When taking a taxi, shuttle van, or bus, remember to note the company’s
name and the vehicle number and Color.

These are just some of them, which I noticed and felt like sharing….

"HAVE A HAPPY AND A SAFE TRAVEL!!"