Upendra Swami

Jumbo’s day out at Mattupetty

Upendra SwamiJuly 14, 20203078 Views4

You can find elephants everywhere in Kerala- from forests to roads and temples. They make a fascinating sight and also some excellent stories. They have always been integral part of legends and mythology. There is no temple festival in Kerala without elephants. Kerala also has a good number of wild elephants as well. As per a rough comparison Kerala has almost 600 captive elephants and almost 6000 wild elephants. One of the highest peaks in the Nilgiris the Anamudi peak literally means 'elephant's forehead'. In India, elephants are always in news, thanks to our mishandling of one of the most graceful and intelligent animal out there. Still sight of a herd of wild elephants is good enough to stop the traffic on road and turn everyone into curious onlookers. They too keep people amused w...

AdventureIndia

Desert National Park | For that Bustard feeling

Upendra SwamiJune 29, 20202903 Views8

Well, worst of summer is over. Although with onset of Monsoon, humidity will keep pushing us to limits. It’s safe to be in homes therefore due to all sorts of reasons, and surely weather is the least of our concern. In any case, by the time it is safe or rather safer (than now) to travel in times of COVID19, it will be already winter perhaps. So, travelling to desert won’t be a bad option. This post is regarding keeping yourself ready for it, or giving you just another travel idea. Map of the Desert National Park All the birds that are found here and they are really too many, including the migratory ones. In Indian hot desert of Thar, Jaisalmer is already a hotspot for tourists. But among the attraction of usuals glamorous tourist spots like Sam Dunes, Sonar fort, havelis, Bada B...

AdventureIndiaNews

Time back to travel! Madhya Pradesh opens its National Parks today

Upendra SwamiJune 15, 20203535 Views2

For all those with travel lust and right now feel like being chained in their homes due to COVID19 situation, there is a trickle of some good news. Among the first states to do this, Madhya Pradesh has reopened its State Tourism Development Corporation Hotels, resorts and many private hotels at tourist destinations for tourists and hoteliers. A tiger at Panna Tiger reserve in Madhya Prdesh Among the efforts to promote domestic tourism state is now allowing all tourists from within the Country. Not just that, another big news is that Madhya Pradesh Forest department has also issued a circular regarding re-opening of its National Parks from 15th June 2020. Buffer zones in these national parks will remain open during monsoon season as well. Normally, all the national parks a...

IndiaPhotogallery

How all the fountains at Taj got their water from Yamuna!

Upendra SwamiJune 11, 20207430 Views3

So like me, many of you would have visited Agra and Taj Mahal a number of times, may be. And, each time you would have been so engrossed in admiring the beauty of the marble marvel that you might have easily ignored all the other details of this huge Taj complex, such as its beautiful fountains. Quite unjustified, isn’t it! Gardens, fountains and the channels add to the glory of Taj Mahal Although nothing can undermine the beauty of the white mausoleum built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, but you can’t deny that surrounding gardens and the fountains add to the glory of whole structure. That is the reason, why Taj Mahal is also a ‘rauza’ as per Persian principles- a tomb with a ‘charbagh’ (four cornered squared gardens), fountains and channels. So were the many other tombs of the M...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Chaukhamba : A peak on four pillars and it is not our democracy!

Upendra SwamiJune 5, 20207954 Views2

I couldn’t have missed the satire in the present context as all the four pillars of our democracy are currently on terribly shaky ground. Having said that, this post is definitely not about our democracy but about one of the most beautiful peaks on Uttarakhand Himalayas. It is the World Environment day and what else can we talk about than the most precious gift our nature has given to us! Sunrise on Chaukhamba peak as seen from Almora town in Kumaon The inspiration for this post came from an impromptu comment on one of my Facebook post couple of days back by a renowned photographer friend Jaimitra Singh Bisht, based in Almora. Post was a photo of sunrise on Chaukhamba peak, which I captured a few years ago from Almora. While appreciating the photograph, Jaimitra said that, “Chaukham...

IndiaPhotogallery

Quenching the thirst and keeping nature alive

Upendra SwamiJune 1, 20201944 Views4

So after the double rainbow delight of Sunday in the national capital, tempers were again on rise in the sky on Monday. However, it was never close to the sweltering heat that we had early last week when the temperatures crossed 46 degree celsius. Still, hot and humid days are not over and this weather makes you thirsty all the time… and, these birds as well. Isn’t it! A call for the water or the partner! Actually this is the weather and these are the images that make you wonder how essential are these little things to be done around our city homes to keep the nature around live and chirping! These birds which give us joy in our balcony views daily, need to quench thirst as well in this peak summer. What, when there is no open water puddle or pool for them? These little pots a...

AdventureIndia

Two valleys where flowers missed you this lockdown

Upendra SwamiMay 29, 20201744 Views2

India has big number of exceptionally stunning valleys of flowers across its peninsular region, and top among them is definitely the ‘valley of flowers’ in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district inside the Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve. It is so popular that whenever you talk about Valley of Flowers, it is presumed that you are talking about it. But there are many other valleys of flowers and a handful of them are in the Himalayan region itself. They might not be as popular as the Valley of Flowers in the Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve but they are equally beautiful and worth a visit. Yumthang in North Sikkim Har Ki Doon valley in Uttarakhand Well, here I am not talking about all the valleys of flowers. That isn’t the purpose of the post. I am loking at what we have missed this season due t...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Lockdown effect | A yatra without yatris!

Upendra SwamiMay 25, 20201825 Views2

Chardham yatra is one of the India’s major pilgrimage and it is second time in last eight years that it has to be shelved. Last time in 2013, it was due to an altogether different reason as Yatra has to suspended and finally called off due to devastating floods in Uttarakhand. But that year, Yatra started in usual manner with all customs and rituals, but met a catastrophe on 16th & 17th June when extremely heavy rainfall and sudden melting of glaciers created a havoc like never before. Thousands of lives were lost and villages after villages were washed away. So, that year Yatra didn’t resume. Now this year again Yatra has been suspended because of lockdown due to Corona pandemic. The temples have been opened but routes are closed for yatris as no travel is allowed for this purp...

FoodInternationalReviews

Lockdown chefs! Try some of these Timeless Virginia Recipes

Upendra SwamiMay 23, 20202593 Views0

Many consider Virginia to be the birthplace of American cuisine, with Thomas Jefferson regarded as "America's First Foodie"... so you know this American state takes its food seriously! Virginia state's signature cuisine is a reflection of its abundant agriculture. All across Virginia, its talented chefs have access to fresh ingredients and artisan products year round, to design menus that are as creative as they are comforting. But why are we talking of food when we can’t venture out of home due to lockdown? So in these Corona times, while stuck at home, why not recreate some of Virginia's signature dishes for yourself? Here are some traditional recipes for three of those famous dishes, along with some of the top chefs' interpretation of those same plates. Bring a little Virg...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Missing Ladakh : Let’s go for a photo journey!

Upendra SwamiMay 21, 20201730 Views5

May is about to end and many of us like me will be getting restless as Ladakh season gets closer. For many, Ladakh is an annual ritual, for many others it is an ambition of lifetime and you definitely can't doubt the feelings of all of them who are terrified with the prospect of the season getting a corona wash-out. Although, limited transportation seem to be resuming but actual travel doesn't seem to be happening in the near future. Good, if it happens this season at any point of time. I am sure many will rush with their bikes. But till then, lets go on a photo tour of Leh, a glimpse of it. Flying over Ladakh is an experience in itself But honestly speaking, covering Ladakh in a single feature or a post or a gallery is not justified. It is so vast and vivid, that you need umpteen ...