Upendra Swami

Now explore Brussels with the people who live there

Upendra SwamiJune 23, 20191421 Views2

When you’re exploring a city, there's no better way than to visit the places the people who live there like. I have always admired the way the Belgium in general and particularly European Capital region of Brussels has made their tourism more and more accessible, interactive and user friendly. Here comes another first from the beautiful city. From this summer onwards, people who visit the European capital will be able to explore the “real” Brussels. This is because visit.brussels has developed an online, free guide in real time: “now.brussels”, a unique opportunity to discover “the Brussels of the people who live there”. One can now find exactly what it needs at a glance, as it offers a customised, selection conveniently near you, and takes into account your immediate wishes, as ...

IndiaPhotogallery

Kashmir, we know less about: Charar-e-Sharief

Upendra SwamiJune 15, 20193783 Views0

In the previous post on Kashmir, we travelled to Aishmuqam Dargah of Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali, who was principal disciple of Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani. Now we are talking about the shrine of the saint himself at Charar-e-Sharief. Well, name Charar-e-Sharief might not be as unknown as the Aismuqam, but its importance might be. Charar-e-Sharief shrine Also read: Kashmir we know less about: Aishmuqam Dargah Recent past Actually, being a journalist, the first time I heard about Charar-e-Sharief was all because of negative reasons, way back in 1995. It was then, when the shrine as well as the town was in siege for 66 days because of a stand-off between army and terrorists lead by Mast Gul. It all ended even badly when the whole town as well as the shrine were put to fl...

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Witness one of the biggest pride celebrations in the world at Tel Aviv

Upendra SwamiJune 12, 2019946 Views0

Tel Aviv is a diverse city with multicultural influences and open-minded locals. Every June, in honour of Pride month, people of all genders, religion and colour flood the streets of Tel Aviv in support of love, diversity and freedom to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. With a series of events across the city, Pride is that time of the year when the city takes on a new life with vibrant colours and an intoxicating atmosphere that cannot be ignored. With parties, lectures and art exhibitions, Tel Aviv Pride Week presents an effervescent celebration in a creative and energy-packed environment. The festivities attract hundreds of thousands of participants from both Israel and abroad, with the most-attended and anticipated event being the Tel Aviv Pride Parade on June 14th. Tel Aviv ...

IndiaPhotogallery

Kashmir we know less about : Aishmuqam Dargah

Upendra SwamiJune 3, 201913766 Views7

I visited Aishmuqam Shrine near Anantnag in Kashmir valley for the first time years before the Salman Khan starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan was shot in 2015. This Bollywood superhit film did lot on its part to make people aware of this place. A very beautiful song sung by Adnan Sami was filmed here. The song was inspired from a very old traditional qawwali and it is said that it was for the first time that a film was granted the permission to shoot inside the premises of the shrine. Aishmuqam shrine Mosque and shrine of commonly known as Saint Sheikh Zain-Ud-Din Wali at Aishmuqam is considered to be one of the most famous dargahs of Kashmir. One needs to climb 560 steps before you can enter the shrine which is located about 40 minutes away from Pahalgam. We came from the Pahalgam s...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Nature, myth and history of Syahi Devi Temple

Upendra SwamiMay 26, 20197187 Views7

Last year, when we went to Shitlakhet, we headed for an early morning trek to Syahi Devi temple. But we started a bit late, and then we had a packed schedule in the day ahead. And, with some clear view of Nanda Devi range consuming lot of our time, we dropped the idea of going till the top and returned mid-way. I had then decided that, I won’t let that happen next time. Hence, when I visited Shitlakhet again this year, I kept the very next morning after my arrival for the trek to temple. What a beautiful day it was, calm and clear. Now, in the hindsight when I look back at that decision, how remarkable it turned out to be, as the second morning onwards, the weather went for a toss. Sun rises while on trek to Syahi Devi temple Morning colours on the snow peaks It gets brighter a...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Waterfalls are the best pit stops on way to North Sikkim

Upendra SwamiMay 18, 20192840 Views5

Journey from Gangtok to Yumthang in the North Sikkim is indeed very scenic, but it might not be best of the roads. Road goes along the Teesta river for most of the journey. Because of tough terrain, landslides, road widening and work on various power projects, the road condition, although not very bad, but is mostly not the desirable one. That is the reason, that although distance between Gangtok and Yumthang is just around 140 kilometres, but you can’t measure the travel time through that. It’s certainly a day long journey. Road journeys in Sikkim are always fascinating Journey on such routes can be definitely tiring. But as I said, this route is quite scenic as we pass through valley of Teesta river with overlooking Himalayan ranges. You can occasionally have a view of Pandim an...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Namprikdang in mystical land of the Lepchas

Upendra SwamiMay 13, 20193244 Views5

I had not heard about the Namprikdang in my earlier visits to Sikkim, until a trip exactly ten years back. Then, one of the senior most tourism officers of the state himself suggested us to go there. We were then already on way to North Sikkim. Hence we decided to stay there on our way return to Gangtok. It was a surprise for us, the beauty and serenity of the place. Its located at the confluence of Teesta and Tholung Chu (Rangeet) rivers. Whole place is surrounded by thick forests and majestic mountains with a breathtaking view of Kanchenjunga. When its clear, then you can have clear view of Kanchenjunga and Pandim peaks from Dzongu Namprikdang is in Dzongu area. Bordering Kanchenjunga (Konchendzonga) Biosphere, Dzongu region of North Sikkim is considered to be the first Lepcha se...

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Qatar’s Angry Birds entertainment park gets outdoor section as well

Upendra SwamiMay 9, 20191620 Views0

Middle East has always been a favourite hunting place for travellers from India. But Dubai, for all lot of reasons, always had a larger share in the pie. However in recent years, other places have been trying hard to match up the pace with Dubai. So, while in UAE itself places like Abu Dhabi have grown popular, elsewhere in Gulf- countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar are coming up with new ideas and new developments to attract the travellers. And they have been indeed quite successful. Look at Qatar, which has got a newest addition to its unmatched tourism attractions. Angry Birds World Entertainment Park With the completion of outdoor park in the second phase, world’s first ANGRY BIRDS WORLD entertainment park is now complete and running. Park marked its Grand Opening at D...

InternationalNewsPromotions

NEOM is all about the unusual and the unexpected

Upendra SwamiMay 3, 20191473 Views2

Imagine being given a blank canvas upon which to redefine modern living: an empty quarter within which to build a 21st century destination driven by a desire for sustainability, powered by the wind and the sun, shaped by innovation and technology, and striving to be among the top places for living and work internationally. Beauty of NEOM The canvas exists. It lies on the Red Sea, in the Northwest of Saudi Arabia, straddling the borders of Egypt and Jordan. NEOM is a new destination being created at the intersection of Asia, Europe and Africa and along one of the world’s busiest economic arteries. It is strategically placed at the crossroads of the world with an area of 26,500 km2, and it is just an 8-hour flight from 70% of the global population. Its another effort from Saudi Arabia...

IndiaPhotogallery

Glimpses from the International Dance Day

Upendra SwamiApril 30, 20192007 Views2

It was International Dance Day yesterday and from various events organised to mark the day, I had chance to witness one at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. It was a wonderful event to mark the landmark day. This day not just makes you celebrate the spirit of dance but also helps you learn new developments in performing arts and know about new artists. I had tried to be regular at such events for some years now. Artists from different dance forms together for a performance on International Dance Day In 1982 the Dance Committee of International Theatre Institute (ITI) founded International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on the 29th April. This was the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), creator of modern ballet. The intention of the International Dance Day Mes...