Travel In India - Places To Travel In India

Step wells of India have always mesmerized tourists from far and wide, for their unique architecture and carvings. Not only does Rani ki vav in Gujarat belong to this class of picturesque landmarks of India, it also has a special historical beginning to it. Read more to explore and quench your thirst about the ancient architecture of India.

There are many monuments in India which were built by the mighty kings for their beloved wives. These symbols of love stand tall over centuries to remind us all of the power of love. Such monuments, though exceptional, are something we have become accustomed to. But, this monument is different as this was constructed by a queen in the memory of her deceased husband.

We are talking about Rani ki Vav, an amazing piece of architecture and heritage that has been recently recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, on 22 June 2014.

Rani ki Vav – The 31st Indian entrant to the World Heritage Sites list by UNESCO

It is believed that Rani ki Vav (Queen’s step well) near Patan, Gujarat was constructed during the 11^th century in the memory of Bhimdev, son of Mularaja, the founder of the Solanki dynasty of Anahilwada Pattan. The richly sculpted monument is considered a masterpiece dedicated to the king by his widowed wife Udayamati. The vav was later flooded by the nearby Saraswati River and silted over until the late 1980s.

If you are travelling here for the first time, you might get confused as you won’t see a tall museum or the remains of a ruin because it is built inside an opening in the ground, which makes it special. The east facing well constructed in seven storeys is approximately 64m long, 20m wide & 27m deep.

As you go down, you will see over 800 sculptures in the seven galleries, majority of which are devoted to lord Vishnu. It is amongst the finest step wells in India, and one of the most famous legacies of the ancient capital city.

The central level’s theme is “Dasavatars” (10 incarnations) of Vishnu and as you reach the water level, you will see a carving of Vishnu reclining on one thousand snake heads.

The 10 incarnations of Vishnu have been sculpted along the walls

Various pillars and walls which are beautifully sculpted in Maru-Gurjara architectural style are a mesmerizing sight. The lowermost level of the well is blocked by stones and silt now but earlier it was used as an escape route to the neighbouring villages.

It is one of the largest and the most sumptuous structures of its type. Rani-Ki-Vav is now considered to be the queen among the step wells of India. It is said that the size of the Rani Ki Vav is so huge that the tourists appear as ants climbing an anthill.

The well at Rani ki Vav, Patan

These vavs in ancient times were not only used for socializing and collecting water, but they also had great spiritual importance. They are mostly found in Gujarat and Rajasthan to store water during dry days. Started with a simple design, these vavs gradually became very complex, elaborate and huge.

Rani ki Vav was one of the five international heritage sites selected by the Scottish Ten team for digital preservation and scanned in 2011 for two weeks by them, along with CyArk and Archaeological Survey of India. You can view a 3D animation of the Vav created by them here:

How to reach Rani ki Vav?

The Vav is open for visitors from 8 am to 6 pm. It is located around 125 kms from Ahmedabad and will take one approximately 3 hours to reach there.

The site is well connected by buses from Ahmedabad. There are many trains that will directly take you to Patan from Ahmedabad. The nearest airport is also located at Ahmedabad.

More on Stepwells in India: Step Into A Stepwell – See the Adalaj ni Vav, Still Standing – Delhi’s Stepwells

Photo Sources:
1. Photo Source: “Rani ki vav 02” by Bernard Gagnon – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
2. “Rani ki Vav Vishnu” by Shakti – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
3. The Faces of Rani-ki Vav by SUN STAFF

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Editing Assistance: Shruti Mehrotra

We all wait for weekends eagerly. An outing with friends, a family gathering or maybe just a lazy Sunday – we all have different ideas of a perfect weekend in our heads. But there’s probably nothing better than discovering something you’ve not seen before.

And the monsoons give us one more reason to travel. Not just travel but to explore a location which is far from the regular, crowded tourist spots where everyone heads to.

Here is our list of five lesser known weekend getaways near Pune-

1. Kolad

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Located near the Kundalika river, Kolad lies on the Mumbai-Panvel-Goa Route. It is one of the top rafting places in India. It is also a great camping site. The place is located amidst the beautiful Sahyadri mountain range in Raigad district of Maharashtra. Mostly famous for trekking, the monsoons is an amazing time to visit the place as the ground is covered with a green carpet. You can also enjoy various adventure activities and lovely waterfalls. The USP of the place is that the activities are operational throughout the year.

Check out the website to know more about river rafting at Kolad.

How to reach there?

Kolad is around 140 kms and takes around two hours from Pune. The most convenient way to reach there is to hire a private taxi from Pune to Kolad. The cheapest way to reach Kolad from Pune is to take the Pragati Express from Pune to Lonavala, then take a taxi from Lonavala to Kolad. There are many private buses that will take you to Kolad from major stations of Maharashtra.

Where to stay?

There are many homestays and hotels in and around Kolad. You can check out some of these places here.

2. Murud Janjira

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The historical fort has the great distinction of being the only fort that remained undefeated despite several attacks from the Portuguese, the Marathas and the English East India Company. It is one of the strongest marine forts of India. The amazing fort is located at around 161 kms from Pune and can be a great place to visit on a good weather day.

How to reach there?

Nearest railway station is Nagothane railway station. There are many durect buses from Pune to Murud. Check out your options here.

Where to stay?

Spare some time to relax and enjoy some awesome local cuisine. Check out some of these places to stay.

3. Sagareshwar Sanctuary

This sanctuary is interesting to visit as it is a man-made wildlife sanctuary. 15 years of convincing the villagers and hard work by one man – D.M.Mohite, resulted in transforming the dry mountain slopes into a beautiful forest replete with flora and fauna. In 1985, approximately 52 animals were set free in the area to re-introduce wildlife here. The hiking at the top of the hill is the major attraction and the famous Shiva temple attracts a lot of devotees. It consists of a large temple and a group of 51 small temples. Best time to visit is August to February.

How to reach there?

The sanctuary is around 220 kms from Pune. All mail, express and superfast trains stop at Sangli and Miraj railway stations. MSRTC buses, private cars and auto rickshaws are available from Sangli and Miraj to Sagareshwar. You can get down at Takari railway station and even walk to Sagareshwar, which is 2 kms away.

Where to stay?

There is a government rest house available for accommodation at the sanctuary.

4. Kaas plateau

This breathtakingly beautiful place is located around 133 kilometers from Pune. It is also called the “Valley of Flowers” or “Kaas Pathhar”. During the monsoon season, the whole valley is filled with blooming orchids which are a treat to the eyes. The place is located 25 kms from Satara and has around 45 species of flowers. It is also called western India’s Switzerland.

The 1000 hectare plateau was declared as a bio-diversity site by UNESCO in June 2012. Read about the amazing work being done by conservationists and the locals in preserving the fragile eco-system, and make sure you respect and appreciate that when you visit. Monsoon (August-October) is the best time to visit this place. So if you are planning to go, pack your bags now!

How to reach there?

There are many buses and trains to Satara from Pune. And from there you can take a private taxi.

Where to stay?

There aren’t any hotels in Kaas Plateau, though some villagers do provide home stays, which would be great options to know more about the local community. Good accommodation can be found in Satara or Mahabaleshwar, which is very close to the Kaas Plateau.

5. Khed Shivapur

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This place is very close to Pune, so in case you just have one day off you can travel 25 kms and reach this amazing destination. The small village near Pune is famous for a mysterious stone. It is said that if 11 people touch their finger to the stone and shout the name “Qamar Ali Darvesh”, the stone that weighs around 200 kgs flies up in the air. Though this claim has not been scientifically proven, but it’s still worth trying, isn’t it?

How to reach there?

Since the place is pretty close to Pune, you can take a cab or bus that will directly take you to your destination. Or, you can enjoy a nice bike ride!

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Quite often we make plans to travel but don’t execute them. Sometimes the place seems too far away and sometimes the place doesn’t have good weather. Some of us spend a majority of our time in planning and end up not going anywhere!

So, let us make things easier for you. If you are in Delhi and looking for a weekend getaway which is quiet and away from the regular tourist circuit, here is our list of five places you can try-

1. Shoghi

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A small town near Shimla, this place welcomes you with amazing views of forests, hills and valleys. The Tara Devi temple is one of the major attractions at Shoghi. Not being one of the regular tourist destinations, Shoghi has emerged as a peaceful and calm place loved by all who are looking for a different and serene experience.

How to go?

Shoghi is around 344 kms from Delhi and comes around 13 kms before Simla. There are buses that will take you directly to Shoghi from Delhi. The place lies on the Kalka Shimla train route and the main railway station at Shoghi is located near the market.

Where to stay?

Shoghi has plenty of options for accommodation and you can choose from any of the guest houses and hotels in the town. These options are easily connected with the railway station and bus stand.

2. Pilibhit

Forest Watch Tower at Pilibhit.

Picture Source: Makks2010, Wikimedia Commons.

This densely forest region lies on the Nepal border and is famous for being the origin of river Gomti. It is one of the most forest-rich areas of North India. The place has a tiger reserve which is one of India’s 41 Project Tiger reserves. The best time to visit the place is from September to mid June.

How to reach?

Pilibhit is located around 310 kms from Delhi. It is very nicely connected by train and buses from all major stations across the country. The nearest airport is Chaudhary Charan Singh airport in Lucknow, which is around 260 kms form Pilibhit.

Where to stay?

There are many accomodtaion options available within the forest reserve. The log huts and lodges in the reserve are worth a try.

3. Renuka Lake

Picture Source: FlickreviewR, Wikimedia Commone

The lake is 672 m above sea level and is the largest lake in Himachal Pradesh. Boating on the lake, the lion safari and the zoo are the major attractions of this place. The best time to visit is November when an annual fair is organized here. It has a religious significance as it has temples of the mother-son duo, Renuka (believed to be a reincarnation of Goddess Durga) and Parshuram.

How to go?

The lake is around 300 kms from Delhi and is well connected by road. The nearest rail head is Ambala which is 95 kms away. If you are starting from Delhi, take a bus or train to Chandigarh or Kalka, then take a bus to Nahan and from there another bus will take you to Renuka.

Where to stay?

The place has a religious significance and hence you can easily find many lodges and hotels once you reach there.

4. Surajkund

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An ancient reservoir of the 10th century, Surajkund is an artificial cistern located at the backdrop of the Aravali Hills. The reservoir is in the shape of the rising sun with an eastward arc. The place is also famous for the Surajkund handicraft fair which is held every year from 1st to 15th February.

How to go?

Surajkund is just 25 Kms from Delhi. You can go by taxi, bus, bike or even auto rickshaw.

Where to stay?

There are many hotels available in Surajkund. From 5 star to regular lodges, you can choose according to your budget. Since Delhi is so close you can just make a day-trip to this place and return back in the evening.

5. Hansi

Main gate of Hansi fort.

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This is a place to visit for those who are interested in ancient history. Hansi has many forts, mosques, shrines and tombs. One place you must visit here is the fort of King Prithvi Raj Chauhan. It is said that many swords were manufactured in the city and were exported to the middle east. “Peda” is one sweet which you must try if you are here. The best season to visit Hansi is from October to May.

How to go?

Hansi is around 150 kms from Delhi. There are many trains and buses that will directly take you to Hansi from Delhi. The fastest way to reach Hansi is by Kisan Express from New Delhi which will take around three hours.

Where to stay?

There are a few hotel and resorts in Hansi which you can check for accommodation.

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While in many cities we are seeing a heavy decrease in the number of birds, this village sets an example of how birds and humans can co-exist in complete harmony. Chirping birds of rare species in your backyard, several nests on each tree – Kokrebellur is a delightful sight. Know more about the amazing village and its conservation efforts.

When was the last time you saw birds chirping on your window sills? How often do you see a sparrow sipping water from your garden tap? If you have to stop to think, then you have your answer.

Declining numbers of house sparrows and other native species have been a concern for every nature lover in recent times. According to the BirdLife International, the IUCN Red List states that currently 82 bird species in India fall into the globally threatened category.

A delight to watch, these birds are adorable, but sadly we don’t get to witness the happy sight these days. Wouldn’t it be amazing if you and these lovely tweeting birds could co-exist?

The village is named after a bird species “Painted Storks” which is called “Kokkare” in Kannada

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Kokrebellur, a small village in Maddur taluk of Karnataka, offers you an unusual and mesmerizing sight as you’ll find some of India’s rarest species of birds chirping in the backyards of these village homes.

The village is named after the “Painted Storks” which are called “Kokkare” in Kannada. Apart from Painted Storks, spot-billed Pelicans are also found here. Both of them are included in “near threatened category” in the IUCN Red List of 2009. In addition to these, breeds like Little Cormorant, Black Ibis, Grey Heron, Black-Crowned Night Heron and the Indian Pond Heron are also also spotted.

It is fascinating to see that these birds have nested in the village in very close proximity to the villagers. Every tree holds many nests, and if you go in May, the sight is amazing as many newborn birds are learning to fly during this period, and the shrill voices of these young ones fill the environment with unusual energy.

The villagers treat these birds as a part of their family and have also created a small area for wounded birds to rest. Birds are so friendly here that they even allow you to go very close to them.

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The trust and bonding that these birds and villagers have developed is worth admiring. Kokrebellur is one of 21 breeding sites existing in India. The villagers have adopted these birds as a part of their heritage and consider them as signs of prosperity and good luck.

The birds help the villagers get phosphorus and potassium-rich manure obtained from the bird droppings. S G Neginhal, a senior forest official, had pioneered the efforts to proliferate the breed of Pelicans. In 1976, Neginhal explored possible solutions to expand the cause by launching a compensatory scheme to benefit the villagers. The birds and the villagers have bonded well since decades now.

As these birds nest in the village regularly, and sometimes this can be a disadvantage for the crops, the Karnataka government compensates the villagers with a certain sum of money for every tree that is hosting a nest for these birds, as the land below the tree cannot be used for plantation of any other crop. Additional income is also provided by the influx of tourists, who are encouraged to visit this “man-made bird sanctuary”.

Birds here usually nest in groups of 15-20 pairs per tree, and they continue to use these nests throughout the year. They arrive after the monsoon ends in September, hatch their eggs and re-migrate in May.

The uniqueness of this place is that in spite of some loss of crops that these villagers face due to the birds, they have happily adopted the birds and do everything possible to make them feel at home. That is why, gradually, this place has become a hub of rare migratory birds.

Women of the village say, “For us, these birds are like daughters coming home for delivery.”

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The spot-billed pelicans are protected by law in India and also in several other countries. The unique thing about Kokrebellur is that it is not a reserved bird sanctuary but a village where these birds freely live and co-exist with the villagers in harmony.

The efforts to conserve these birds have been fruitful and considered as “a role model” to replicate in other areas. Due to a wide variety of rare birds, this place attracts a lot of tourists and bird watchers every year. The government has also established and provided grants to the Village Forest Committee (VFC) to protect the birds by nurturing and enhancing the trees on which they nest.

The village does not just offer you a good bird watching experience but also gives you a completely new take on human-birds relationship. While most of us are busy saving our lush gardens and building exteriors from these birds, these villagers set an exceptional example of how the two life forms can happily co-exist in a beautiful way.

How to reach there?

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This fort was built in 18th century AD by Mughals and is believed to be the only port at that time. The fort falls under State Department of Archaeology, what you can see now is just remains of the brick and limestone walls. One of the lesser known places near Chennai, the beautiful surroundings around the broken walls are something you must witness. If you climb on these ruins, you can get an amazing view of the ocean. The local villagers can also arrange for boating.

How to reach?

Located near Kadappakkam village, the fort is around 100 kms from Chennai. You can book a taxi from Chennai which will allow you to enjoy the amazing view on the way.

Where to stay?

There are no well known hotels near the fort, and as it is just 100 kms from Chennai you can make a one day trip and come back.

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Jellyfish might be a regular sight along the Indian coast but they are a rare sight in lakes. What started as a regular field trip for a team of marine biologists turned into a voyage of discovery when they found a unique specie of jellyfish called Upside-down Jellyfish in a small town called Armabada in Gujarat.

Usually found in warmer coastal regions, mangrove forests, shallow lagoons or mud flats, upside-down jellyfish are a genus of true jellyfish and the only members of the family Cassiopeidae. They are so named because they lie in this position on the sea bed, unlike others.

Photo Credit: S Goutham/WTI

The team of marine biologists from Wildlife Trust of India spotted this jellyfish during a regular field visit. Out of curiosity they went to explore a water body which was attached to the Gulf of Kutch through a small water canal, while it was separated from it by a bridge.

As the scientists snorkeled in the water, they were amazed to see the entire bottom of the lake was covered with these jellyfish. This is most likely the first that such a discovery has been made in India.

“This is probably the first jellyfish lake to have been found in India. The concentration and density of jellyfish is very high here. You can even see them from outside during low tide and when the water is clear,” wildlife scientist BC Choudhury said.

These jellyfish look to receive a large amount of sunlight as they harbour photosynthetic algae called Zooxanthellae. That is the reason behind their unusual position.

Experts believe that this specie has been spotted here mostly due to a smaller number of predators and less wave action in this lake. Also, this lake hosts jellyfish throughout the year unlike other water bodies where they are seasonal. Further investigation led to the discovery of a group of turtles who have also inhabited the same lake.

This incredible discovery in India gives a positive hope that there might be more such unusual habitats and brings this lake into the spotlight like the renowned jellyfish lake located on Eil Malk Island in Palau.

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They pick up their bikes and go to some of the remotest villages in the extreme Himalayas. There they help the kids with education, the locals with livelihood, the community with healthcare and undertake various initiatives to make the region a cleaner and a better place. Started by Dheeraj Sharma, Devil On Wheels is all about responsible travel. Read along to know how.

When we plan a trip we make sure that we make the most of it – we shop, click pictures, explore the “tourist attractions” and come back. How often do we look beyond a regular trip?

Do we think of the local community and try to understand how do they manage to live in extreme conditions? With limited livelihood options, extreme climatic conditions and disconnection from the mainstream world, life in the Himalayas is not easy.

There are some who visit the Himalayas as tourists and come back. And then there are those who travel, explore and experience everything. Dheeraj Sharma is one such person who decided to change the way the local communities of the Himalayas live.

Dheeraj Sharma, founder of Devils on Wheels.

Dheeraj Sharma, founder of Devil on Wheels.

It all started four and half years back when Dheeraj Sharma’s regular journey turned into an unforgettable experience, when he saw the poverty and difficulties all around him. “It is really sad to see the people who are so talented living a life like this due to lack of resources and opportunities,” Sharma says.

Sharma started travelling more and spent more time with the community to understand its culture, listen to its stories, etc. The more he traveled, the more he got attached to the community and finally, he launched a platform called “Devil on Wheels” to help the locals.

When Sharma travelled and visited the beautiful Himalayas, he realized that the wages of tour guides were very low. They worked for a travel agent who would pay them a lump-sum amount instead of daily wages, and that too once a year.

“These guides weren’t able to get their due share. They would get some percent of the total income which would be hardly Rs.50,000. That too they would get at the end of the season. I wanted to build a system where these people could get direct benefits,” says Sharma.

Hence, he came up with an idea to connect travelers directly to these guides. This way they get their daily wages and earn more.

The DoW team is a group of dedicated young minds who believe in bringing a change.

What they do?

Started as a blog, Devil on Wheels is a platform now which has covered over 17 villages in the Himalayas and helped the local community with its various initiatives.

Apart from connecting the local guides directly to the travelers, DoW also donates medicines and stationery items to various shops and schools in the Himalayan region.

“It is a tourist focused initiative. We ask people if they would like to buy medicines/stationery kits, the upper price cap of which is Rs.500. Then they go and distribute these commodities in the villages where such basic things are unavailable,” says Sharma.

The team organizes various clean up drives in the valley to make the place healthier and better.

The idea is to keep the people engaged and involved. “We don’t do it on anyone’s behalf. Someone who wants to contribute actually has to come, travel and explore the villages himself,” Sharma says.

They also organize various clean-up drives where the team and other volunteers go and clean the mountains. “Around 30 people came together and organized a clean up drive in Kasaul and when other tourists and local associations saw us doing so, they joined in too,” says Sharma.

The core team of five which includes various responsible travel enthusiasts, organizes an annual meet up where all the members associated with DoW gather together to talk and plan a visit to one of the villages.

Sharma makes 5-6 trips every year to such villages where he is mostly accompanied by his family, friends and members of the core team.

The team distributes stationary items to the local schools in the hills.

The Challenge

The biggest challenges are the extreme climatic conditions. From being stuck in a remote village for 5-6 days due to heavy snow fall, to lack of proper accommodation, Sharma and his team have seen it all.

“Once we had made an off season trip to Spiti Valley and everything was shut down. But, a guy who owned a small place opened his hotel just for the two of us. It was overwhelming to see how much these locals value us,” says Sharma.

The Future

Sharma and his team now want to create a database of these communities so that people can directly connect with them. “Many people visit these places and there is some extra ordinary talent, but because there is no connectivity with the outer world, these people are unable to reach out to those who can help them,” says Sharma.

You can be part of their wonderful initiative by going on a trip with them.

You can be part of their wonderful initiative by going on a trip like them.

They also want to expand their initiative and cover the entire belt of Himalayas including Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

“We are not an NGO. Our main goal is to promote responsible tourism as much as possible and connect the local community with other people so that they can get more livelihood options,” says Sharma.

So next time you are travelling, make sure you give back to the local community and help them grow. Want to travel more responsibly? Get in touch with Dheeraj Sharma at- dheeraj@devilonwheels.com

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Editing Assistance: Shruti Mehrotra

Too cold to trek in the hills and too risky to trek during the monsoons? Seasons often play truant while choosing a perfect trek. Love trekking but can’t decide where to go? We present you with many options which you can choose according to the season. Winter, Summer, Monsoon or Spring – we have a trek for every season!

“If adventure has a final and all-embracing motive, it is surely this: we go out because it is our nature to go out, to climb mountains, and to paddle rivers, to fly to the planets and plunge into the depths of the oceans… When man ceases to do these things, he is no longer man.”

- Wilfrid Noyce

The diverse and exceptional topography of India offers a startlingly wide experience of trekking. From north to south and east to west, every nook and corner of this country has something really distinct and incredible for adventure bugs.

Walking through charismatic pastures, beautiful oak tree woods, serene tribal areas and quaint waterfalls – one can observe the miracles of Mother Nature as it unfurls some of its unseen exquisiteness. If a trekker is confused about which destination he or she should choose in a specific season, here are the season-wise suggestions of some treks perfect for trekking enthusiasts:

Some Of The Best Summer Trekking Trails in India – Beating the sun’s intensity!

Summer season is usually hot and humid in India. The elevated areas of different regions are comparatively cooler and thus provide an ideal setting for trekkers. Here are the treks that can be carried out during summers.

Har Ki Dun Trek in Garhwal: Har Ki Dun Valley is located in the Western Garhwal Himalayas. This valley is at the Fateh Parvat’s base. Opaque woods of deodar, pine and other such coniferous trees enclose this cradle cut valley. It is hard for a trekker to not fall in love with the panorama of the route as it is completely concealed by a blanket of purple and blue flowers. The surrounding woodland is teeming with flora and fauna. The prominent snow clad peaks that are visible along the route are Kala Nag, Swarga-Rohini and Bandarpunch.

Photo Credit: The Road less Travelled Ventures

Kuari Pass in Garhwal: Kauri Pass is a well-liked trek among the adventure and nature lovers all over the globe. This trek is also known as Curzon’s Trail. The trek in Kuari Pass takes the tourists through verdant vales, opaque woodlands and small but enticing rural areas with welcoming locales. The tempting vistas of snow-covered Himalayan peaks will delight the adventure buffs. The trekker can witness the sight of striking peaks like Hathi-Ghodi Parvat, Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, Kamet and Chaukhamba.

Photo Credit: Himalayan Trekking

Some Of The Best Winter Trekking Trails in India – Adventure in chilly environs!

Snow-covered peaks, fog obstructing the vision and so on. Winters in India are cool and snowfall occurs in some trekking areas that block the routes. Thus trekking is not possible in every part of the country during winters. Here are some suggestions for treks that are perfect for winters-

Chopta Chandrashila Trek in Garhwal: Chopta Chandrashila Trek is probably one of the most striking winter trekking routes that have continuously grabbed the imagination of adventure aficionados around the world. This trek offers a remarkable and picturesque view of the snow-covered Great Himalayan Range. This route is certainly a delicacy for both the senses and the soul. One of the most entrancing parts for trekkers is the phenomenal sight of the Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Trishul and Kedar peaks along the trail.

Photo Credit: Saurabh Chatterjee/ Flickr

Snow Leopard Trek in Ladakh: There are several places in Ladakh where an adventurer can savor the thrill of trekking. One such trail is the Snow Leopard Trek. This trek encompasses high passes at 4,600 meters of elevation in the outer Himalayas with its crests creating the most remarkable feature of the area. The most extraordinary part of the Snow Leopard trek is that it proffers a chance to visit the Hemis National Park, which is opulent in flora and fauna and located nearby. If the trek is done in winters, the trekker can witness dry woodlands full of birch, fir and juniper. High-altitude grasslands and scrublands are also available here to lure an adventure freak. The Hemis National Park is rich in wildlife species and during winters, one can spot a snow leopard as well.

Some Of The Best Spring Trekking Trails in India – Witnessing blooms all around!

Appeasing sunlight, flowers blooming everywhere – springs in India are filled with the fragrance of blossoms. It is a great season to plan an adventure tour. Here are the treks that can be best explored during spring -

Dodital Trek in Garhwal: The Dodital Trek is situated at an elevation of around 3300 meters above sea level, in Northern Uttarkashi. This trek is perfect for adventure enthusiasts with moderate trekking skills. The trek offers an intriguing site of Rhododendron, Fir, Deodar and Oak forests that are amazingly dense. The astounding vista of the Garhwal Himalayas blinds the tourists. The route is filled with exotic flora and fauna. The area is renowned for embracing some of the rarest fish species such as the Himalayan Golden Trout, thus proffering ample opportunities for bird watching and angling.

Photo Credit: Adventure Works India

Dzongri La in Sikkim: The trekkers who don’t have much skills of trekking should not miss the Dzongri La Trek in Sikkim. The pastures of Dzongri offer captivating views of the Himalayas. It is a seven-day trek and is undoubtedly a trekker’s Eden. The route of this trek passes through lush and verdant forests of Rhododendron, Oak, Magnolia, Chestnut, Maple and Pine. These forests culminate in the paddocks of Dzongri with arresting landscapes, embracing scores of wild plants and bizarre orchids along with a remarkable assortment of butterflies and birds that are worth admiring.

Photo Credit: Thrillophilia

Some Of The Best Monsoon Trekking Trails in India – Exploration amid a moist ambiance!

India faces rains in most part during monsoon. However, there are some regions that are preferable for traversing during the monsoons. Trekkers need not worry in the monsoon as some destinations provide the perfect setting for trekking in this season. Here are the best sites for adventure buffs to embark on during monsoon.

Markha Valley Trek in Ladakh: There are numerous trekking options available in the cold desert of Ladakh. During monsoons, Markha Valley is ideal for trekking here. The Markha Valley, positioned amid Ladakh and Zanskar ranges, proffers adventure enthusiasts an astounding outline of Buddhist influence in this region. While trekking in Markha Valley, a trekker can relish the sites of antique monasteries, high altitude passes, remote villages, paddocks like Nimaling and summits like Nun-Kun and Kangyatse. Moreover, the trekking trail renders trekkers an imposing vista of the Himalayas as they need to go through the high altitude passes in Central Ladakh Valleys such as Gandla, Kongmaru La and Stok La.

Valley of Flowers in Garhwal: The snow in Garhwal Himalayas adds to the splendid beauty of the mountains in winters. The Valley of flowers is an exceptional trek that will leave you spellbound if you travel here in monsoon. The trek to this valley is not tough and one can carry it out with family. It is swarmed with tourists every year. The exotic flowers that bloom during monsoon make the panorama of the trekking route fascinating for the trekkers. This valley is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is at an altitude of 3658 meters and several cascading waterfalls can be spotted on the trail along with mesmerizing vistas of landscape. The unsurpassed exquisiteness of this mystic valley has always enticed adventure buffs, botanists and nature admirers. Do note however that the valley is accessible only during the months of June to October, as it is covered with heavy snow for the rest of the year.

Trekking can be enjoyed all year round in India, as there are specific treks for every season. All treks have something unique to enkindle the adrenaline rush of an adventure enthusiast or light up the eyes of a nature lover.

Please note that any height above 3000 meters needs acclimatization by trekkers, even experienced ones.

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About the author: Pawan Kotiyal is an avid traveller, who likes to trudge to far-flung and lesser-explored destinations in India. Trekking and photography keeps him busy while he is out exploring the unknown destinations. He also likes to pen his travelling experience in order to help those with similar interest in travelling, trekking and photography.

Thanks: Probir Sengupta for valuable inputs.

Dr. Salim Ali’s love for birds was so well known that once a cartoon strip mentioned him by saying, ‘Come, let’s fly a little low; if we are lucky we may be able to spot Salim Ali!’ His poetic descriptions of birds and love for them was unmatched. He would go to deserted islands just to listen to their songs. Take a tour of two beautiful bird sanctuaries named after him with Gangadharan Menon as he remembers the legend.

There are two bird sanctuaries in India named after the father of Ornithology in the country, Dr. Salim Ali. One of them, Thattekkad in Kerala, teems with the birds of the land; and the other, Chorao in Goa, is rich in birds of the water; thereby covering the entire wingspan of bird life, and making it the perfect tribute to a man who celebrated bird-watching for close to 80 years.

Grey Heron.

Salim Ali was a legend in his own lifetime, and a cartoon in the early 80s illustrated that. It showed a group of Siberian cranes flying over the Bharatpur sanctuary, with the leader of the group saying, ‘Come, let’s fly a little low; if we are lucky we may be able to spot Salim Ali!’

Once, when he was all of 10, he wantonly shot down a sparrow in the jungles of Chembur, Mumbai. To his amazement he discovered that it had a yellow streak in its throat, just like a curry stain. He carried the bird home, but even his uncle Amiruddin, the resident expert on birds, could not identify it.

With a letter asking for help, Salim reached the office of the Bombay Natural History Society to meet the secretary, Walter Millard. The affable Walter instantly identified the bird as the Yellow-throated Sparrow, and then took Salim to the museum cupboards where he opened drawer after drawer to show him a few hundred stuffed specimens of birds found in the Indian Subcontinent. And this sparked off a fire in Salim Ali that burned for over 80 years,and threw light on the lives and times of hundreds of birds. From the Himalayas to Arunachal Pradesh to Rajasthan to Kanyakumari.

Dr. Salim Ali

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With his poetic descriptions of birds, he hooked many bird lovers; and I am only one of the legion of bird lovers he has fathered. The call of a Malabar Whistling Thrush would be described by him as the ‘Whistling of an idle school boy who’s happy to have bunked school’.

The shy and elusive behaviour of the Malabar Trogon was described as ‘A bird so conscious of the bright colours on its front that when you approach it to photograph it, it would instantly turn away, and show you its dull, boring back’. And instead of describing the call of the Lapwing as ‘ti-ti-tiwi’, he would say it sounds like ‘Did-he-do-it’? These poetic expressions and light-heartedness are abundant in ‘The Fall of a Sparrow’, a brilliant autobiography he wrote at the age of 80.

His undiminished love of the winged wonders was evident till a few years before his death at the age of 91. When he was 88, he travelled by a Naval Ship to the Andamans (and he had the blanket permission to travel anywhere in India in any mode of transport, including those of the Armed Forces!). He disembarked on an uninhabited island, and stayed there alone watching birds for six days and six nights, till the ship came back and took him back to the isle of his birth. It was not to write any paper on any bird at the dusk of his career, but because his soul was still yearning for the call of the birds.

Pied Kingfisher.

Bronzewinged Jacana.

Thattekkad, Kerala.

In one of his sojourns into the South, Dr. Salim Ali discovered the bounty of bird life in Thattekkad, which according to him, was the richest in Peninsular India. At his behest, it was declared a Sanctuary in the year 1983. Later, he was to accord the state itself the status of having the richest and the widest range of birds in the whole of India. The probable reason for this could be the absence of industrialization (a case of the reds helping the greens!), or the diversity of its habitats: sea, estuaries, backwaters, rivers, evergreen forests, deciduous forests, rolling grasslands, the works.

My first trip to Thattekkad was in the year 1992. Those days, the road from Kothamangalam came to screeching halt at the Periyar river. And from there a boatman used to row you across in a canoe that looked like it was hastily built.

Last year, when I made my second trip, I got an unpleasant shock when the car I was travelling in didn’t come to a halt at the river, but sailed over a bridge. It was easier transport, but the mysticism of being rowed across to your destination was gone forever.

The tranquil Periyar at the edge of Thattekkad.

The floating forests.

Fifty shades of green.

Welcomed by a repertoire of bird songs, we walked to a well-appointed office set in the middle of a dense forest formed between two of the tributaries of the Periyar river. Climbing two flights of wooden stairs we reached the Tree Top House that was to be our forest home for the next few days. As I glanced through the window I saw a perfectly camouflaged flying lizard on a tree in the distance. And as if to welcome us, it came flying across and perched on the tree right next to the Tree House, giving us the perfect photo-op.

We set out bird watching in the late afternoon. There were 270 birds to spot in that birding paradise. We managed to spot around 75 in three hours. Some of them we saw; but most of them we only heard. That’s when I remembered Dr. Salim Ali’s dictum: “Learn to identify a bird by its call. Because, first you hear it, and then you see it. And many a time, you don’t even see it.”

Lantern Fly.

The next day was our tryst with the Ceylon Frogmouth, an endangered bird that’s endemic to the Western Ghats. No guide ever guarantees any sighting ever; but Maani assured us that he would show us not just one, but three, of these rare birds. He took us to a patch of forest where quite surprisingly all the plants had dried up leaves. Amidst them were three birds, so perfectly camouflaged that only Maani’s eagle eye could have spotted them. Being nocturnal birds they couldn’t see in broad daylight; and they were staring at us without seeing us. It was a threesome: father, mother and chick. We clicked away to glory, and got some pictures that were really up, close and personal.

The endangered Ceylon Frogmouth.

Chorao, Goa.

Floating in the backwaters of Mandovi and Mapusa rivers are four beautiful islands: Chorao, Divar, Jua and Cumbarjua.

Situated in the mangroves of Chorao is probably the smallest bird sanctuary in India: Dr. Salim Ali Bird sanctuary, measuring just 2 square kilometres.

As we took the ferry from Ribandar, we could see the sanctuary across the river and it looked like any other mangrove forest. It was only after we landed there and walked along the one-kilometre pathway that we discovered that it’s truly a panoramic forest. At every turn the landcape was different; and there were as many as 14 different species of mangrove plants, submerged but surviving in the intricate maze of canals that run through the sanctuary. Some of these specially adapted plants were breathing with the help of roots that were jutting out from the tidal waters, like periscopes.

The pathway inside Chorao mangrove sanctuary.

Redwattled Lapwing that screams ‘Did he do it?’

The place abounds in resident wetland birds like plovers, herons, sea gulls, sandpipers and kingfishers. And many migratory birds like pin-tail ducks and ruddy shelducks make this their winter home, every year.

As you walk on the pathway beautifully laid out along the periphery of the mangroves, you witness a dual truth: on the left of the pathway, along the backwaters, is a long stretch of plastic garbage which is man’s gift to nature. And on the right are pristine mangroves in its greenest finery, which is god’s gift to mankind.

Birds of different feathers.

So when I saw a small bunch of school kids cleaning up all the mess as part of their social work programme, I knew Dr. Salim Ali would be smiling behind his grey beard in quiet appreciation.

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All photographs (except Dr. Salim Ali) by: Gangadharan Menon

After 28 years in advertising as a writer and creative director, Gangadharan Menon quit the profession to take up his first and second love: teaching and travel. He has over 90 published articles that recount the joy of travelling in this amazing country. A member of Bombay Natural History Society, he is an avid wildlife photographer too. Currently he is working on his first collection of travel writings titled Evergreen Leaves. He can be contacted on wildganges[at]gmail.com

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Located in less populated regions of Ladakh, Pangong Tso lake falls under both India and China. Only one third part of this “Hollow Lake” is in India. The breathtaking view of when sun rays fall on the lake is something you cannot miss. The area is under Indian Army and you’ll be required to get a pass from Leh’s Deputy Commissioner to reach there. Reaching here is also not an easy task as you have to travel 30 kms down Manali-Leh highway and reach Keru. From here, you have to choose one of the two paths which will take you to Pangong Tso after further 113 kms of travel. The strict security and extreme weathers makes this place as one of the most unexplored places in India.

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We have all heard of the amazing Hawa Mahal and the breathtaking forts of Rajasthan. Here is a Rajasthan you have probably never seen before. This year, stay away from the popular tourist circuit and explore these five hidden and offbeat destinations. You’ll not regret it!

A good traveler is one who is willing to experiment and constantly trying to expand his horizons. And you definitely cannot expand your horizons and broaden your world-view by continuing to visit the same old popular places over and over again. Because there is also a world outside the so-called popular destinations and they too have intriguing tales to tell; be it related to history, valor, or spirituality.

And who can tell for sure that some of these low-key destinations may not transform into major tourist destinations tomorrow? So, why not travel to these lesser-known but equally beautiful places now so that you may have bragging rights when they actually make it big!

There is another very positive side to these destinations. The fact that they are normally ignored by the average traveler ensures that they are visited by less number of travelers. So they tend to be less crowed and chaotic. You will hardly find people going crazy finding accommodations, rushing to catch a bus after being caught in traffic, and waiting for ages to get their bookings done. In addition, many of these places happen to be well-maintained and are neat and clean with very little trace of anthropogenic footprints.

When it comes to Rajasthan, it has many popular destinations like Ajmer, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer, to name a few. But if you are ready to look beyond these touristy places, you will find that there are many offbeat destinations that can give you a taste of everything that Rajasthan is famous for –palaces, forts, camels, and elephants.

Here are a few offbeat destinations in Rajasthan that you must include in your bucket list:

1. Barmer

Barmer

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The district of Barmer is a place where the richness of color, the warmth of the locals, and the sweetness of age-old traditions combine together to produce an amazing cocktail that travelers don’t seem to get enough of. The history of the district can be traced back to the 13th century when Bahada Rao, a.k.a Bar Rao, founded it and gave it the name Barmer –the hill fort of Bar.

Earlier, the district was known as Mallani. Barmer as we see today was formed in 1949 and has all the traits of a typical district in Rajasthan – long stretches of barren land, harsh weather, rough terrain – it has everything. So, you better come prepared. Rajasthan is also renowned for its rich crafts and you will find enough evidence of that here. Some items that might impress you include wood carvings, carpets, intricate embroidery, etc.

Best time to visit: This desert town comes to life during the Barmer festival which is held in March; so if you want to marry your goal of exploring Rajasthan with fun, come in March.

2. Banswara

Banswara

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You will find the district of Banwara covered with bamboo grooves, a trait which was responsible for its nomenclature. It is tribal country inhabited mostly by the Bhils community. Locked between Udaipur and Chittaurgarh, Banswara bears witness to an ancient city that lies in ruins today. The city is surrounded by a stone wall. A palace of the former rulers stands majestically overlooking the ruins below. Some of the important places you can visit here are the City Palace, which is a typical example of Rajput architecture; Anand Sagar Lake, an artificial lake located on the eastern parts of the district; and Madareshwar, a grand temple of Lord Shiva which sits majestically amidst picturesque natural beauty.

3. Kuchaman

Pushkar Fair

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Founded in 1781 AD by Thakur Zalim Singh, Kuchaman, which is approximately 100 kilometers from Pushkar, is a small village that houses an impressive-looking fort. The fort still retains much of its grandeur and maintains a safe distance from the nasty affects of commercialization. As such, the fort is a perfect getaway for anyone who is looking to escape from the monotony and restlessness of modern life.

The rural setting just adds to the joy of staying in the fort as you feel like you are in a different planet altogether, with peace and tranquility being your best companions. The scenery surrounding the fort is charming and the sky a radiant blue, unlike in the cities where pollution has taken its toll and a clear sky is often a mirage. The fort has a unique way to keep you occupied as well; just go visit its collection of semi-precious stones, glass and gold paint on display in the inlay work.

Even the Sheesh Mahal inside the fort is no less a masterpiece. And if you want to buy souvenirs, all you need to do is head to the bazaar located below the fort. If you are planning to visit Kuchaman during the winter season, then don’t forget to experience the colourful rendezvous of the Pushkar Camel Festival held in Pushkar. The Pushkar Camel Festival or Pushkar Fair (Pushkar Ka Mela) is a 5 days of extravaganza that attracts tourists from all over the world.

4. Mahansar

Mahansar Fort

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The quaint little town of Mahansar is located in Shekhawati, which is relatively a greenhorn when it comes to the travel circuit. The town, which was established in 1768, is located about 40 km from Jhunjhunu and never fails to put a smile on your face with its amazing collection of intricate artwork and paintings.

The distinction of being the most popular attraction in Mahansar however belongs to Sone Chand ki Dukan dating back to the 18th century. The walls of the haveli are covered with brilliant paintings with intricate golden leaves woven across them.

In addition, there are three vaulted ceilings with images from the Ramayana and the life of Krishna carved on them giving the haveli a stunning look. Apart from Sone Chand ki Dukan, there are many more havelis that would grab your attention. Other key attractions you may like to visit include Raghunath Temple and the Dancing Halls.

5. Rawla Narlai

Rawla Narlai

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If you want to explore the hidden treasures of Rajasthan without falling into the same old routine of visiting the tried and tasted places, you must consider visiting Rawla Narlai. Located in southern Rajasthan, it is a 17th century fortress located beneath a massive 350 ft high rock. The fort now is used as a heritage hotel, but you will still find that it retains much of the same elegance and grandeur of yore.

This Rajput architecture is another example of the rare brilliance of Rajput rulers and boasts huge courtyards, gardens, balconies, verandahs and porches. The guests don’t just get to stay in a royal setting, but get served in a royal manner as well, which in a way is an extension of a tradition that was in vogue centuries ago. So, staying in this fort is like reliving the days of the kings and queens.

To add to the charm, the fort sits prettily among hillocks and temples. Temples to seek blessings and feed your spiritual yearnings, and natural beauty all around to make you feel revitalized –what more could one want? As you can see, it is traveler’s delight, so don’t miss it!

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Here is a first hand experience of a journey to the amazing Himachal Pradesh and its beautiful valleys. Join Gayatri Mendanha as she visits intense music concerts, tries her hand at art and pottery, samples exotic dishes like the Kangri dham, finds peace in the serene monasteries, experiences the thrill of paragliding, and much much more in just a few exciting days!

I keep my suitcase light. I carry words. For this journey, I chose Pico Iyer’s, ‘If travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed.’

On a mountain road with a skilled driver who knowingly imparts the strange thrill and chill of a roller coaster, I suspended disbelief and allowed myself to be taken for a ride. In the midst of the turns and gasps, as we wove our path to the skies, they burst forth in awe-inspiring beauty, snow capped and majestic – the mountains!! I had arrived, living an oft-awaited dream, in McLeod Ganj, the lively, colourful meeting point of people from all over the world and home to Tibetans in exile.

Exiled: Art on a street wall in McLeod Ganj

A glorious view of the changing shades of sunlight on the landscape kept me spell bound, in mid-step on a narrow lane. I walked through the lively streets to the Dalai Lama Temple – home to the 14th Dalai Lama. I found myself standing in the presence of the sacred and the aesthetic that met in the statues of Shakamuni Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokitesvara (which has relics handed down from Tibet) which embody deep meaning for Tibetans in exile.

Turning golden prayer wheels, circumambulating the temple, I pondered awhile gazing into the scenic distance, and then, as dusk passed into night, set out for a fusion music concert!

At this concert, Tibetan artists, musicians and painters, took me beyond facts and figures to feelings; unveiling themselves, their individual, personal agonies and hopes in their struggle towards a free Tibet. A poet in exile who outpours his pain and anger on the page, mesmerized the audience with elegant, powerful poetry.

Sacred aesthetics: I bow down in reverence

A Tibetan folk and freedom singer and songwriter enchanted us with the music of a traditional lute or Dramnyen. A Thangka painter integrated all these sounds, words and struggles onto a blank canvas, transforming it skilfully with life and colour.

It was symbolic of the inner transformations in us, witnesses called to enter into life-stories and naked truths. Living in exile, these artists recalled a traditional Tibet in their work keeping its fire and song alive. 30 years away from home, the stark deaths of a million Tibetans, an identity in transit, freedom still a dream – these were no humble, compassionate Buddhist monks, but exiles driven to sheer helplessness and left with no recourse but to stuff their hand in their mouth and bite that hand – orphans, who could not forgive and forget.

Each Tibetan had his/her own story of journeys made and a life pieced together from the fragments that remained and a dialogue with religion itself. A lifetime of waiting, pain and hope.

Fusion Concert: Tibetan artists, musicians and painters taking us beyond facts and figures

This mood of sombre truths and harsh reality was interspersed with happier stories, laughter and the singing of Bollywood numbers. We were warmly welcomed into a Tibetan home and savoured a traditional Tibetan meal of thukpa and tingmo.

We traveled next to the Kangra valley where I excitedly settled down for a workshop in Kangra art – a precise art that amalgamates colours, emotions and nature. Experts from the Kangra Arts Promotion Society crystallized for me the history and heritage of this miniature style of painting with the stories they narrated.

With the aid of a magnifying glass I admired the perfection in the artist’s attention to detail in these paintings. The morning was spent with noses, eyebrows and eyes; learning the strokes of the trade. After all that persistent, attentive engagement with proportions, expressions and delicate perfection, I accepted an invitation to a culinary treat – the Kangri Dham.

As new spices delighted my taste buds I indulged with the excitement of a curious child in a variety of preparations with names like chana madrah and sepu vadi. A sweetened delicacy called mithdee rounded off the feast. Intercultural recipes exchanged hands that day!

At the workshop on Kangra miniature paintings

Next on my Dharamshala map was Norbilinka Institute. When one steps into this grand repository of Tibetan art and culture, one steps into a world of enchantment and beauty. Here, in the marriage of the traditional with the modern, one samples greatness.

I silently sat in the presence of thangka painters who, after years of training, had mastered this patient, meditative art. A guide carefully explained the process by which the canvases were prepared, designs drawn and colours made from natural sources to its completion with gold embellishments and silk brocade. Truly majestic! I then followed my guide into another room, where a group of Tibetans was busily working towards the completion of a fabric thangka.

Hand cut pieces of brocade, silk and the use of Mongolian horses’ hair for outlining these sacred images, carries this centuries-old tradition into a modern work of dedication. In the workshop of the Tibetan carpenter, we see one dimensional drawings and designs delicately transform into polished artistic religious thrones. My guide then led me to the Deden Tsuglagkhang temple and in this space of reverence, colour and art, I discovered layers of deep symbolism. The Loseling Doll Museum houses dolls which take us on a journey through traditional styles of dressing reminiscent of Tibet’s cultural roots.

I was now ready to travel back in time to a sleepy little heritage village nestled in the Kangra valley, Garli – a place suspended in time! A guided tour transforms into a journey of exploration through narrow lanes, heritage buildings, temples & shrines.

With elegant havelis, mansions and Italianate buildings, interspersed with lovely mud-plastered and slate-roofed houses, Garli is a hamlet that lends itself to the photographic lens. With an amazing diversity of architecture (some decaying & some crumbling), scenery and biodiversity, Garli remains relatively unspoiled, giving her a medieval ambiance that enthralls with each new discovery, revealing yet another facet of herself.

Staying in a serai, an inn, and spending the evening with local folk singers and pahadi dancers got me dancing to their tunes and swaying along in the open courtyard beneath sparkling fairy lights.

A Thangka artist at work

Having spent time on terra, I travelled to Bir, one of the world’s best paragliding sites. Soaring in the skies, taking in the Dhauladhar range in its breathtaking splendour is a tick off a bucket list that leaves one at a loss for words. Back to terra, I indulged in a day devoted to pottery at Andretta, an artists’ colony near Palampur . The hours slipped by gently through my fingers in the moulding of form, texture and the learning of a new art. I eagerly submitted my pot and mud figurines for firing and glazing.

My last stop was the Monastery of Dzongsar Khyentse where you see monks debating animatedly with each other on the teachings they learnt that day. The gestures, hand movements and postures all signify the style of argumentation. I entered the Monastery, and was at once drawn into its awe-inspiring universe of sacred images, statues and aesthetics. It induced in me a deep, all-pervading reverence and I found myself in cross-legged meditation.

Transformed I was!

A heritage building in Garli

About Himachal Pradesh:

Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful melting pot, with a belly full of touristy bustle. A traveller and artist, range of experience notwithstanding, will agree that the true test of a place is the variety of company and loneliness it offers. Himachal can be your solitary escape as well as your boisterous get-away. It can give the fledgling or advanced taste of spirituality and it can offer you decadence. If the choices confuse you, it can offer you fresh air, green meadows and occasional drizzles to calm your mind and show you the way.

Quick Facts: Kangra valley, Himachal Pradesh

Kangra which was known anciently as ‘Trigarta’ is one of the most picturesque valleys in Himachal Pradesh. It is sheltered by the massive Dhauladhar range of mountains, rich in culture and history. It is a popular tourist destination, with the peak season around March and April. Dharamshala, the headquarters of Kangra district, lies on the southern spur of Dhauladhar in the valley.
Nearest Airport: Gaggal Airport (14 kms from Dharamshala)
Nearest Railhead: Pathankot Cantt (14 kms from Dharamshala)

At the pottery workshop in Andretta

Upcoming Attraction:

Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) 2014 – 30th Oct – 2nd Nov.
Savour the best of contemporary independent cinema, meet filmmakers from India and abroad and participate in interesting workshops. While you journey into worldviews, perspectives and stories on screen, you can create adventures and stories of your own through the people and places you encounter.

Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter (@thebetterindia)

Gayatri Mendanha narrating her experience of travelling through Kangra valley, Himachal Pradesh with Black Swan Journeys. Gayatri was on a customised journey focusing on art, architecture and culture in the Kangra Valley.

With the ‘Incredible India’ campaign successfully running for over a decade, the Ministry of Tourism recently launched Incredible India and Tripigator mobile apps to make the travel experience easier and more enjoyable for both domestic and international tourists. Here is all you need to know.

Going on a vacation is not as easy as it looks. From finding the perfect destination to gathering the required information about the place and finalizing the accommodation and travel plans, the lengthy procedure not only kills the excitement of a much-awaited vacation but also adds to the expenses of hiring a travel agent.

We always plan to explore a new and offbeat place but what restricts us is the lack of knowledge and a sense of insecurity from taking the plunge. While we stay in a country with such a rich culture and heritage, we are unaware of the many breathtaking attractions and places that are not on the popular tourist maps. Ministry of Tourism in India has come up with a simple solution to all your troubles.

The ministry came out with an amazing app titled “Incredible India” to bring all the tourism information at one place. The app is colourful, easy-to-navigate and simple-to-use, making it easily accessible by everyone.

This new application developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) will help tourists acquire reliable information directly through the government.

Salient Features

The saffron, white and green background gives an ethnic feel to the app.

Users can select their location through GPS or can even do that manually. Once the location is selected, the app gives you various options of places you can visit, hotels verified by the ministry that you can stay in, travel trades and also gives you a list of approved guides you can contact. The list also contains the languages these guides speak, which is a plus for foreigners.

The “Contact Us” section of the app contains a list of all the states in alphabetical order. Contact details of the regional directors of Tourism department including their name, office address, contact number and email addresses are also provided.

Users can also select various hotels, guides, locations, etc. as their favourite and they can reset all the saved data and searches through the “Clear All Data” option if they wish to start afresh. It is also easier to find the location on the maps by just clicking on the “Locate” option.

As the app is recently launched, there are certain improvements required. It contains only the popular cities currently and might not generate results for the lesser known ones.

The ‘Incredible India’ mobile app is available for Android as well as Apple phones. You can download this app on Android here and on iTunes here.

“Now, when people are shifting from laptops and moving to smartphones, I think it will be a great success. It is good to see that Ministry of Tourism is using technology to promote tourism. As this is just a start, it might take some time to pick up, but once people start using it on a regular basis, it can promote tourism in a revolutionary way,” said Shri S.S. Devburman, Director Indiatourism, Rajasthan

The app was launched by the Ministry in collaboration with Genesys International Corporation and will cover 16 Indian cities including Agra, Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Coastal Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Patna, Pune and Surat. The app is expected to cover 36 cities by December 2015.

Going an extra mile

The incredible India campaign, launched in 2002 was the first marketing initiative of its kind to create a unique identity for the country. The initiative was an instant hit and managed to generate 16 percent increase in tourism in the first year itself.

Tripigator mobile app

To add to its bevy of tech-friendly initiatives, MOT has also launched its first and only instant travel planning engine Tripigator. The app will enable users to create personalized itineraries matching their preferences. It has integrated maps and geo-location based discovery of details. Tripigator uses big data technology to analyse millions of web pages, price points, reviews, etc to instantly generate personalized travel itinerary on fewer inputs saving the users’ time and efforts. The results can be shared further with the travel companions by the user. You can download this app here.

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History is always fascinating, and to discover that which has been hidden for a long time adds to the uniqueness of a place. Bhimbetka is sign of existence of people in the stone age, and some of the shelters show signs of being inhabited nearly 100,000 years ago! It is believed that the Pandavas from the Mahabharata also stayed here. Visit Bhimbetka to go back to the past and learn all about the lifestyle and culture of ancient times.

There are many wonders of the ancient times which are right under our nose, but we aren’t even aware of them. Do you know where we find the earliest traces of human life in India?

Entrance of Bhimbetka by Tanuj Deshmukh / Wikimedia Commons

Bhimbetka rock shelters, located in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, exhibit traces of the beginning of the South Asian Stone Age. It is believed that the interesting name Bhimbetka has been derived from the deity Bhima of Mahabharata, and is literally translated as “the sitting place of Bhima”. It is also believed that when Pandavas, the five brothers from the epic Mahabharata were banished from their kingdom, they came here and stayed in these caves.

Bhimbetka first finds mention in 1888 as a Buddhist site, as per information obtained from local adivasis (tribals). Located 45 kms from Bhopal, the southern edge of the rock shelters are the successive ranges of the Satpura hills and the entire region is covered with thick vegetation, with an abundance of natural resources.

Bhimbetka rock painting showing man riding on a horse. (Picture Source: LRBurdak/ Wikimedia Commons)

The site, over 10 km in length and about 3 km in width, has more than 700 rock shelters, of which over 400 have paintings. The region has a prominent resemblance with Kakadu National Park in Australia which has similar rock sites. The paintings in these shelters are also strikingly similar to the Upper Paleolithic Lascaux cave paintings in France.

The shelters were first identified back in 1957 when V.S. Wakankar saw some rock formations while travelling to Bhopal. He later visited the place with his team and discovered a series of such ancient rock shelters in the area.

Rock tortoise – a view just outside the rock shelters. (Picture Source: Tanuj Deshmujh / Wikimedia Commons)

After this, 750 more such shelters were discovered which revealed a continuous trail of stone age culture and oldest stone walls and doors.

The uniqueness of these shelters is the colored paintings which are considered to be as old as 30,000 years and are classified under seven periods. Vegetable colours were used to paint them which have endured through time. The colours used are mostly red and white with the occasional use of green and yellow.

Did You Know?

The colours used by the cave dwellers were prepared by combining manganese, hematite, soft red stone and wooden coal. Sometimes the fat of animals and extracts of leaves were also used in the mixture. These colours have remained intact for many centuries due to the chemical reaction resulting from the oxide present on the surface of the rocks.

A painting of flowers and a horse. (Picture Source: Bernard Gagnon/ Wikimedia Commons)

The paintings depict various patterns like hunters, deer, tiger, cattle, stylized peacocks, etc. They demonstrate the relationship between people and landscapes. They also show that hunting was an important part of their lifestyle. A huge number of stone tools found in this area depict how man evolved and started using weapons to hunt and find food. The cultures and traditions of the nearby villages have a striking resemblance to those shown in the paintings. These shelters were declared a World Heritage Site in 2003.

Apart from the shelters, Bhimbetka has many other remains from ancient times. Walls of a ruined citadel, mini stupas and rock cut beds indicate a Buddhist influence in the Maurya/Sunga periods of this area. There are various inscriptions, which date back to the Sunga, Kushan and Gupta periods.

Photo Courtesy: “Rock Shelter 8, Bhimbetka 02″ by Bernard Gagnon via Wikimedia Commons

Bhimbetka is not just stone shelters but a journey that will take you on a trip into ancient time. From their lifestyles to their lives, there are many hidden and fascinating stories to be discovered in these caves. Visit the place to experience prehistoric life for yourself.

How to reach there?

Bhimbetka is not very well connected with trains or public transport. The nearest railway station is Bhopal which is around 40 Kms from Bhimbetka. You can book a personal cab from there. The nearest airport is the Bhopal Airport.

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India has expanded the Visa-On-Arrival facility to 43 countries. From filing the application to formalities and the names of the countries, here is all you need to know.

Visiting India as a tourist will soon become much easier as the Government rolled out the facility of Visa-On-Arrival (VoA) today. It came as a good news for those who have been looking to visit the largest democracy in the world for quite a long time but waiting up on visa approval.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma listed out the names of 43 countries that can avail this facility. The VoA facility is enabled by Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for citizens of these 43 countries. Travelers can avail ETA through nine airports in the country by a a simple digitized process without having to wait in lines for the permit.

visa1
The nine airports which will provide this service are – Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Goa.

The official website - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html was launched by Singh in Delhi and has all the information about the latest developments. The website allows an applicant to file a new application, finish a partially filled form, pay Visa fees ($60) and also check the visa status.

Countries that can benefit from this facility

The list includes following countries: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam.

What you need to have to avail the facility?

A passport with a validity of at least six months
Visitors with the only purpose of travelling to India for recreation , sight seeing , casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.
Travelers should also have return ticket or onward journey ticket,with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
This facility is not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders.

How can you get a VoA?

An online application needs to be submitted which must include a copy of your photograph and passport.
After regular verification and screening process you will be notified whether your visa has been approved. This process takes around 72 hours.
Once your application has been approved, take a print out of the “electronic travel authorization” which you will receive through email.
Take the print out with you and present when you land at one of nine international airports across India. Once you approach the immigration officials, they will take your finger prints and after the formalities you will be allowed to enter the country.

India already offered VoA services to 12 countries, but the process is lengthy as there are only three to four counters to process the applications. With a larger number of countries and 72 dedicated counters across the nine airports, the whole process will become faster.

Tourism in India is expanding at a good pace and is predicted to grow at an average annual rate of 7.9 percent from 2013 to 2023. With the launch of the recent facility, it is expected to see a higher number of tourists in future.

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In the MY VIEW section, we highlight some of the most pertinent and interesting letters and opinions sent to us by our readers. Have something to say? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com with “YOUR VIEW” in the subject line.

Here is a South African’s view on some of the amazing and unique modes of transportation in India. From the famous auto rickshaws to the memorable train journeys, from the adventurous motorbikes to the not-so-adventurous camels, he has experienced and learnt from them all!

Let me start with my journey in life. My grandmother had an old 1970 VW Camper van that she held onto, and which was passed on to me by my father. I am so glad to have a legacy like this in my life and I will never sell it for anything in this world. We have been traveling all over the world with it; last year we drove it for 7000 kms. I always feel great and special to see transport all over the world, and to discover all kinds of modes of transport that people are using.

Jaco (left)

One of the most unique transports in India is probably the auto rickshaw. We don’t get a lot of this in South Africa where I come from, but I see it’s all over India. They have recently imported these to South Africa. I love it so much.

The other day I was waiting for kids at the children’s home to come from school and I could not believe my eyes when I saw about 18 kids in one auto rickshaw! I was just amazed by how many people can you put into that.

The famous auto rickshaws of India.

If you travel all over the world and you see a transport vehicle like this, it touches your heart deeply. I know a lot of people want to come to countries like India and stay in five star hotels and drive in fancy cars, but I believe that if you really want to immerse in the culture of a country, you need to be part of it and drive in the transport the locals are driving in.

I realized that India has the biggest train system in the world. I have taken the train so many times here, and yet every time when I take a trip, it’s a new experience for me. I am glad to see the beauty of that.

The memorable train journeys.

You get all kinds of different classes in the train, but you need to take the sleeper class if you want to experience the real Indian culture, There are about 9 people sleeping in one compartment, and they talk to one another all the time. You must just be careful and hold onto your bags there. I have taken first class once in my life, and that’s almost the price of a flight ticket.

The classy scooter.

When you go up to the north of India, you can even ride on the back on a camel! That’s so incredible for me, because I have never experienced something like that at all. I come from a generation where you don’t see that anymore and it is beautiful beyond words.

They are very slow and you need to have a lot of time to go on one of those. It’s like a reality check for you, especially when you have seen camels in movies where they just travel in desert areas and now you see one in India. I don’t think you can travel long distances with that; it’s probably just for short distances around a town.

The bus journeys.

Then the other transport which Indians are using is motor bikes. To be honest I love motor bikes, but I am a little bit scared to drive one here, though I have been driving one in India for a while. The people in South Africa do not drive like people in India and I am just not used to it here. It was very hard for me to drive the motorbike in the streets of Hyderabad.

I believe the most expensive mode of transport in India is flying. India has good flight connectivity all around, and if you need to get somewhere fast, then the airplane is definitely the option to use. I have been taking flights to a few places in India and it was good; it saves a lot of time as compared to the train or other kinds of transport here.

Another interesting vehicle is the cycle rickshaw, which you mostly see in Varanasi. It is so special every time for me to go in one of those. I am just amazed because there appears to be a big demand for them. I also see a lot of the people that have the cycle rickshaws either sleep inside it or next to it.

The cycle rickshaws.

In India, there are so many buses that you can take. Some of them don’t even have windows when you drive in them, but that’s part of the culture that you also need to experience. There are certain places in India where you cannot go by train and you need to take bus.The one thing I learned from buses here is that there is always space for more!

- Jaco Swanepoel

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About the Author: Jaco Swanepoel is a 24-year old from South Africa who is working with teenagers there while also filming and travelling all over the world. He has been to 9 nations already, and is staying in India for 3 months now, though he feels its been much longer. He will be traveling all over India, including Varanasi, Delhi, etc. He truly loves India, and says, “I will give away my life for this country. It’s beautiful beyond words.” He can be reached at jacoswanepoel123@gmail.com

Patalkot, a village in Madhya Pradesh is so deep that even sunlight cannot reach it. As the clock strikes four in the evening, the valley plunges into darkness everyday. It is believed that after worshiping Lord Shiva, Prince Meghnath had gone to Patal-lok (the underworld) through this place. It is also said that the kings who ruled this place in the 18th and 19th century had constructed a secret tunnel which connected it to Pachmarhi in Hoshangabad district.

Do you see a few small huts? That’s Patalkot.

The mesmerizing landscapes and scenic beauty which is untouched by urbanization is something that makes this site unique. The place is so remote that people did not even know that it existed, and it was discovered by the ‘civilized’ world only a few years ago.

Nanhe Lal at Rewa Dham temple.

“Even our ancestors were afraid to live here. They stayed in Pachmarhi, but gradually they shifted here and started doing odd jobs like bamboo cutting,” says Nanhe Lal, a member of a tribe from the village in Patalkot.

Spread over 79 sq.km. at an average height of 2750-3250 feet above Mean Sea Level, Patalkot has a population of 2012 which reside in 12 villages and 13 hamlets. “The place was hard to find but it was worth the efforts. It was breathtaking,” says Prakhar Deep Jain, a documentary film maker.

Apart from several mythological and historical connections, Patalkot is famous for its tribes which excel in making medicines from herbs. The lesser-known tribes which so far were not even recognized by the government have started earning by collecting minor forest produce and selling it in the market.

Some of the amazing herbs found here include Addhajira (Chaff Tree), Bach(Sweet Flag), Adusa (Malabar nut), Ajgandha, Soorankand (Corm), Kalmegh (Andrographis), Narbod/ Satavar (Wild Asperagus), Kachnaar (Variegated mountain ebony), Punarnava (Spreading Hogweed), Shivlingi, Khatua (Sprout leaf plant), Van Karonda, Van kela, Maida Lakdi, Brahmi (Indian pennywort), Safed musli, Hadjori, Jangali Piyaz (Indian squill), etc.

People who came to the forest saw the potential profit that could be made from these herbs and a section of the village was cut down to make easier access for the collection of these herbs. In return for cutting down the trees, the tribals were given portable radio sets which they used for scaring the wild animals. This indeed has killed the original folk songs which kept the tribe together.

Living harmoniously in this “untouched” land, these tribes love to help each other.“The only source of money is the daily wage job provided by the community. Selling berries, amla, etc. also earns us some money,” Nanhe Lal says.

Though completely cut off from the cities, the kids of these tribes have gradually started going to schools and are seeing a better future. “We are gradually uplifting from the past,” Nanhe Lal says.

With the news of Patalkot’s herbs spreading far and wide, the valley has been grappling with many dangers including deforestation, loss of cultural identity, etc. It’s time we took steps to protect some of our last remnants of cultural heritage and natural wealth.

Watch the documentary on their life by Prakhar Deep Jain -

Photos Courtesy – Prakhar Deep Jain. Check out his blog for more amazing pics.

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People in some of the remotest villages in Ladakh have never experienced electricity in their lives. This team of changemakers is giving a whole new meaning to tourism. They have constructed an advanced, technology-friendly E-base and have also set up three Solar DC Microgrids. Read more about the sustainable impact these “tourists” have created.

“I never believed that I will see my house lit up in the darkness of night. Since independence, there has not been even a single bulb in my house,” said one of the oldest man in Sumda Chenmo village, Ladakh, with tears in his eyes.

The village houses had electricity after years, the kids started using Skype and other technology in E-Base to connect to people across the globe, and the entire village was transformed. And all of this was made possible by the “tourists”. Surprised? Most of us consider tourism as an activity that would take us to beautiful places, give us an opportunity to click some great pictures, and after some days of rejuvenation, would bring us back to our regular lives.

But these impact tourism evangelists are changing the definition of tourism. Global Himalayan Expedition aims at giving tourists a holistic Himalayan experience, stretching across pure adventure and cultural connect with the local communities. They also encourage the travelers in setting up sustainable energy and education based infrastructure in the remote Himalayan regions.

“Our main objective is to use tourism to impact the lives of remote and underprivileged communities across the Himalayan region. Tourism should be much more than just visiting a place; it should impact both the community’s life and your life,” says Paras Loomba, founder, GHE.

The tourists play a key rle in bringing the change.

The start

Son of an army officer, Loomba travelled extensively across India, stayed in 12 cities, changed around 15 schools and experienced some of the coldest places of India. While he initially thought of joining the army, Loomba’s desire to do something different kept him restless and he looked for ways he could explore different areas of work.

One day, he saw a TV report on Robert Swan, the first person to walk to both the North and South Poles. Loomba was really inspired by Swam’s feat and he joined an international expedition to Antarctica with Swan.

“That trip changed my life. I saw the effect climate can have on people’s lives and the troubles it can create so I thought of using technology to enable sustainable change in the remote regions of India,” Loomba says. After coming back from Antartica, Loomba gathered a bunch of his friends and planned to set up a school in Ladakh with the latest technologies and facilities.

Here is how the village looked before GHE’s intervention.

“We planned to set up something very creative and amazing. Like the school of Phunsuk Wangdu of 3 idiots movie,” he exclaims. Hence the idea to start GHE took shape.

From spending a few years of their lives in the Himalayas to visiting the region for Adventure treks to being born and raised at the foothill of the great mountain range – the team members have a very emotional connection with the Himalayas and Ladakh.

“The Himalayas have always been a force inspiring and guiding our humanity. Right from the early Hindu Gods to the many great Buddhist saints, all have drawn inspiration from these mountains,” the GHE team says.

The GHE expedition team is selected through a set process. Applications are invited across the globe and only pasionate people are selected. A maximum of 25 people go for the expedition at one time and they come from different countries. They currently conduct one expedition each year for a duration of about 12 days, but they hope to make double that frequency soon.

“Since we want to make it a global platform, the expedition team consists of people from several countries. 40 percent of the people are from India and the rest from other countries,” says Loomba.

Here is how the village looked after solar grid installation.

The technology friendly E-base

Loomba and his team went to Ladakh to construct a one-of-its-kind E-Base (Education Base) near Mahabodi school. The school hosts around 500 students from several nearby villages. He didn’t have any experience in this field. But it was his passion that drove him to the highest peak to bring a change. And it was his passion and his team’s hard work that helped him construct a Third Pole E-base, 3,500 meters above the sea level.

The structure of the school was not like any other building. It was a double wall construction that kept the indoors warm even if it was freezing outside. “The solar-powered E-base was constructed using materials like rammed earth made of sand, earth, paper and husk,” explains Loomba.
Not only this, the E-base also offered several tablets and laptops to the students with a good internet connection that helps them to connect with people across the globe. They also have a television and over 10 telescopes and several books according to the students’ interests.

And all of this at a location where there is almost no connectivity with the outer world. “When we first introduced the idea, we received over 300 applications within a month. This gave us the confidence that this can work. People from nine countries joined me and we started our work to construct this unique E-base in a land which was affected by cloud burst,” Loomba says.

The E-Base is the third base in the world to run completely on solar. It also has Ladakh’s first sustainability curriculum and a Robotics Lab.
Digital tools, documentaries and interactive sessions are used to engage kids, which makes it an unusual and interesting experience for the kids.

Bringing the light

Ladakh receives 300 days of bright sunlight every year, with the world’s maximum insulation level of upto 1200w/m2 energy. The E-Base team decided to tap into this advantage and utilize the sunlight for a better purpose. Apart from a very successful E-Base, the GHE team also set up 3 Solar DC Microgrids in Sumda Chenmo village which hosts around 100 houses and is 2 treks away from any nearby town.

“We figured that electricity was the biggest necessity in these areas. Livelihood and education will eventually follow if people are able to utilize the time which is wasted due to lack of power,” says Loomba.

A well-lit house, thanks to the GHE Team.

With support of Ladakh Renewable Energy Development Agency (LREDA) and Mrida, a social enterprise in Rural Electrification, GHE connected with the village heads of different blocks and identified the remotest village in the area for launching their development initiatives.

“We used DC current so that even if, due to some reason, a person gets any shock, it won’t be that harmful. We had to consider all these factors as there was no proper healthcare facilities nearby,” says Loomba. With help from fellow tourists, 130 bulbs were connected in the houses and all of that was achieved within just 10 hours.
The villagers will be paying Rs.100 for any repair, maintenance and installation of new solar grids in the future. Being an enthusiastic team, they found solutions to all the problems that harsh climate created. They used Yak skin to cover the battery and keep it warm in extreme cold conditions.

“Solar Lanterns typically last a year or two with a maximum supply of 3-4 hours of light, while a Solar DC Microgrid can light up houses with up to 10 hours of electricity backup per day and can run uninterrupted for 5 years,” says the team.

Three DC grids have been installed in the village.

The impact

The small team of five has created a tangible impact in the lives of people in Ladakh. The installation of micro grid and use of solar energy completely eliminated the use of around 1,600 litres of Kerosene by the villagers.
The solar lights have helped the villagers to increase their working hours by four hours per day which is very crucial for them as their main occupation is making handicraft products from brass and copper.
GHE’s initiatives have also increased livelihood options and income opportunities as every year several tourists come here, and they not only spend time with the community but also find possible solutions to their problems.
Students have started playing an active role in sustainable living practices.

“Apart from this, attendance in schools has increased. The idea is to empower kids to study and enable them to go to their villages and install solar grids themselves. We want to provide sustainable solutions,” says Loomba.

The future

Till date, around 400 students use the 100 percent solar powered E-Base. GHE wants to take this initiative to the next level by electrifying 20 more villages in Ladakh by next year and 50 villages in the next three years.

“We want to scale up and reach out to more people and villages. We will be definitely organizing more expeditions, more campaigns and more visits in the future,” Loomba says. The GHE team also wants to expand to other areas like Uttarakhand and Arunchal Pradesh.

The team at work.

Supported by many well-wishers and corporate sponsors, GHE is doing some amazing work in some of the most unexplored regions of India.

“I would like to tell people to travel responsibly. Avoid the use of plastic and connect with the community,” advices Loomba. Want to know more about GHE’s work? Contact Paras Loomba at – paras@ghe.co.in or check out their website.

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In the MY STORY section, we present some of the most compelling and pertinent stories and experiences shared with us by our readers. Do you have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com with “MY STORY” in the subject line.

Shankar Ji travels all the way from South India to trek the Himalayas every year. He does not hesitate to embark on some of the most dangerous treks even as he crosses 63 years of age. What’s more, he carries his own baggage too and does not employ a porter! With increasing age, his passion to explore is rising too. Read more about the inspiring traveler.

I firmly believe that Indians are the greatest gumakkads (wanderers) in the world. Today we meet one such gumakkad who has traveled across the length and breadth of this country. In literal sense!

All I knew about Shankar R before writing this post was that he successfully completed the treacherous Manimahesh Kailash Parikrama trek. This fact alone was enough for me to seek more information about him and when I got to know about him I couldn’t help writing a blog post.

Every year Shankar Ji would travel from down south to the Himalayas fr trekking.

Every year Shankar Ji would travel from down south to the Himalayas for trekking.

And before I even start, let me tell you one interesting fact about Shankar Ji. He has successfully managed to walk across the treacherous yet equally rewarding Kalindi Khal Trek in the Uttarakhand Himalaya. Kalindi Khal is a trek where even the best in the business think twice before venturing out.

Having gone through his photographs, I can say at least one thing about him with absolute certainty – he loves walking and he has some cosmic connection with the majestic mountains of Himalayas. How else would you explain a Tamilian guy visiting these Himalayan wonderlands every year without fail?

All the way from Chennai to the highlands of the Himachal Himalayas!

In conversation…

What all major treks you have done so far?

To name a few, I have been fortunate enough to tread on the Manimahesh Parikrama Trek, Lamkhanga Trek, Srikhand Kailash Trek, Chadar Trek, and before I forget, the Kailash Manasarovar Parikrama.

How and when did you get into the world of trekking? Tell us how did it all start?

I started as a solo traveler right from the age of 27. I started out with an idea of covering all the major temples of India, which I did, fortunately. During one such journey, a fellow traveller told me that I can be a good trekker. And that got me going!

At the age of 50, I was selected by GoI for the holiest Kailash Manasarovar Parikrama Yatra. What more one can ask for in life? I have been fortunate enough, that’s all I can say.

Back then I was a little fleshy and I managed to walk all the way through the KMY trek. It turned out to be a turning point in my life. Prior to KMY, I was just a [religious] pilgrim, but now I see these rivers and mountains as a part of my own being. The KMY became the new beginning of my trekking life. Words can’t explain how I started to feel after KMY.

What about your family? How did they react when you took to the world of trekking?

Family support is always important and my case is no exception. My family was always supportive but these days they worry because of my age.

I think its in my genes. My father did his Bharat Yatra way back in 1938. Even my Polio affected brother has visited Badrinath Dham. So I am sure it does run in the genes.

Trekking is a damn expensive hobby, how do you manage your finances?

If you take out travelling from my life, I don’t have any other hobby or recreational expenses. Therefore, my travelling is my pilgrimage, hobby and recreational activity. All my retirement money, whatever I could manage, is resting in my bank account and I travel off the interest coming from it.

To be honest, I never purchased clothes after my retirement and that’s why I have got little expenses to worry about.

Shankar Ji carries all his stuff himself.

List down your five major treks. And why are they special to you?

As I have mentioned already, KMY changed my world-view perspective entirely. It was not just a test of my physical strength but also my mental ability. I was 58 when I did the KMY Yatra. The secret lies not in the Kailash or in the Manas, but in the journey. It is the journey that takes you close to the Shiva.

My efforts were appreciated by not just my companions but even lauded by the Army people. I think they were just being generous.

Meanwhile, I was also told that I did not have a suitable pair of shoes and warm clothes that one must carry on the KMY expedition. I think I was just lucky!

The second one I must talk about is the Kalindi Khal Trek. I met two trekkers from Poland enroute Dothital in UK. They encouraged me to take up the Kalindi Khal challenge and surprisingly I too agreed. This idea was further cemented by the unending support extended by Tilak Soni (Where Eagles Dare). A lot of messages were exchanged along with copies of insurance premiums and doctor’s certificate, and finally I was on my way to chase another one of my wildest of dreams. I was 63 at that time.

I think I was just lucky enough.

Recently in June 2014, I also managed to successfully complete the Lamkhanga Trek.

Porters or On Your Own?

I prefer to carry my stuff on my own. Rarely I have used the services of a porter. I carried my backpack during the Lamkhaga and Srikhand Trek.

Man of few words but loud actions, Shankar Ji is an inspiration.

Any Wise Words?

The younger generation should have a positive attitude and a strong mind. One must befriend Mother Nature and not try to conquer it because that’s just not possible. Friendliness towards nature is more important than anything else.

Coming all the way from down south to the Himalayas, have you ever thought of settling in here?

I would love to but its not feasible. I have to be with my family and physical presence is more important than financial backing. Life is meaningless without spiritual experience and my travels are my way of reaching out to the higher spiritual spheres. Although I am single, I live with the memories of my travel.

My travel journey is still going strong and the passion to visit new places is increasing. I just hope that journey never ends.
I just wish to be luckier. The way I have always been.

I have not had the pleasure of meeting Shankar Ji yet but eventually we shall meet someday because the Himalayas are the greatest common factor between us.

I befriended him on Facebook some time ago, and since then all I would hear from him is just these two words; ‘very nice Tarun’ and ‘Great Tarun’ on every photograph or blog post I would share on my timeline. Recently we had the longest conversation of our Facebook lives and that too didn’t last more than 25 sentences.

- Tarun Goel

Picture Source

A hill station located at an altitude of 518m, Jawhar has a lot of tourist attractions like sunset point, Dabhosa waterfall, Kalmandvi waterfall, Hanuman point, etc. It is also famous for its beautiful Warli paintings which are called the hallmark of this place. Jai Vilas Palace, located nearby, is also a go-to destination. Jawhar is also called the Mahabaleshwar of Thane district.

How to reach?

Located at about 166 kms from Mumbai, Jawhar is well connected by train and bus. The nearest airport is Mumbai and several government and private buses can take you to Jawhar via Nashik. The nearest railway station is Igatpuri.

Where to stay?

MTDC holiday resort Kanhaiya Kunj can be an option to stay. In case you are looking for a more luxurious stay, Shanti Sarovar Resort can be an option for all nature lovers.

How to reach Rani ki Vav?

More on Stepwells in India: Step Into A Stepwell – See the Adalaj ni Vav, Still Standing – Delhi’s Stepwells

Photo Sources: 1. Photo Source: “Rani ki vav 02” by Bernard Gagnon – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. 2. “Rani ki Vav Vishnu” by Shakti – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. 3. The Faces of Rani-ki Vav by SUN STAFF

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1. Kolad

2. Murud Janjira

3. Sagareshwar Sanctuary

4. Kaas plateau

5. Khed Shivapur

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1. Shoghi

2. Pilibhit

3. Renuka Lake

4. Surajkund

5. Hansi

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How to reach there?

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1. Horsley Hills

2. Muthupet Mangroves

3. Chandragiri

4. Talakona waterfalls

5. Alamparai Fort

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What they do?

The Future

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Some Of The Best Summer Trekking Trails in India – Beating the sun’s intensity!

Some Of The Best Winter Trekking Trails in India – Adventure in chilly environs!

Some Of The Best Spring Trekking Trails in India – Witnessing blooms all around!

Some Of The Best Monsoon Trekking Trails in India – Exploration amid a moist ambiance!

Please note that any height above 3000 meters needs acclimatization by trekkers, even experienced ones.

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Thattekkad, Kerala.

Chorao, Goa.

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1. Majuli, Assam

2. Tarkarli Beach, Maharashtra

3. Lepchajagat, West Bengal

4. Wrirter’s hill, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh

5. Orchha, Madhya Pradesh

5. Pangong Tso

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1. Barmer

2. Banswara

3. Kuchaman

4. Mahansar

5. Rawla Narlai

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About Himachal Pradesh:

Quick Facts: Kangra valley, Himachal Pradesh

Upcoming Attraction:

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Salient Features

Going an extra mile

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How to reach there?

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Countries that can benefit from this facility

What you need to have to avail the facility?

How can you get a VoA?

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Watch the documentary on their life by Prakhar Deep Jain -

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The start

The technology friendly E-base

Bringing the light

The impact

The future

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What all major treks you have done so far?

How and when did you get into the world of trekking? Tell us how did it all start?

What about your family? How did they react when you took to the world of trekking?

Trekking is a damn expensive hobby, how do you manage your finances?

List down your five major treks. And why are they special to you?

Porters or On Your Own?

Any Wise Words?

Coming all the way from down south to the Himalayas, have you ever thought of settling in here?

Photo Sources:
1. Photo Source: “Rani ki vav 02” by Bernard Gagnon – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
2. “Rani ki Vav Vishnu” by Shakti – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
3. The Faces of Rani-ki Vav by SUN STAFF