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

Upendra SwamiJune 5, 2020 7781 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...

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AdventureIndia

A panchpura and a legend of shepherd king at Raithal

Upendra SwamiAugust 12, 2019 3561 Views2

It’s the time of the year again, when Raithal village in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand gets ready for a unique festival. A festival celebrated to welcome the cattle folk as well as shepherds back to village after months of rearing and grazing in higher meadows of Himalayas. It’s a Holi celebrated not with colours but with butter and curd milk.  More about Butter Holi of Raithal, read: Get ready for a Holi with Butter at Dayara Temple at Raithal village Raithal is also popular as base for many treks originating from or concluding at Dayara Bugyal. Truly, Raithal is no ordinary village. Besides its locational value just on the footsteps of Dayara Bugyal and its unique Butter Holi, it is also a historical village. It has got some very old traditional Garhwali homes. Many o...

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AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Charm that brings me again, and again to Rishikesh

Upendra SwamiJanuary 24, 2019 1131 Views0

Rishikesh is one of those places which hold a special place in my life, hence no doubt that I have a special liking for this spiritual township. My first memories of this town are from 1987 when I came here as a teenager and spent more than a week alone in search of myself. That’s altogether a different story, but since then I developed a close affinity to this place. I have come here a number of times since then, and what is significant that almost my every subsequent visit to this place has been part of a defining trip, as much as my first visit here. Magical colours of Rishikesh Haridwar nearby was the more heralded one always- mythologically as well as religiously. It was bigger and more accessible, but it still couldn’t make Rishikesh less attractive for me. Whenever I had a ...

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AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Harsil – a mystical gateway to other world

Upendra SwamiSeptember 8, 2018 4194 Views2

Harsil is a land of mystique. Although it still doesn’t have that tourist rush but it has already collected many adjectives, more than many other places in the region. It is often dubbed as mini Switzerland of India. But it indeed is more than that. It is surely one of the most beautiful places in whole of Uttarakhand, but it is actually a gateway to something more beautiful than what we see at Harsil. It opens to some uncharted territories, yet to be explored- some spiritual and some natural. I had heard and read lot about Harsil. But never had been able to go towards Gangotri valley, until in summers this year riding the first ever Bloggers Bus of Uttarakhand Tourism. It could have seemed like a mission accomplished but actually it left me wanting for more. Its not a place to be s...

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AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Get ready for a Holi with Butter at Dayara

Upendra SwamiAugust 14, 2018 1842 Views3

Holi in monsoon and that too with no colours but butter and curd milk! Well, nothing to be surprised. India does have such a vivid culture that there are scores of different festivals held every now and then. Many of them are unique and few of them have roots in remotest of places. Some of these places, which were not known so far are slowly getting popularity due to increased tourist activities. Raithal in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand is one such place. Raithal is popular among adventurers as it is also the base for trekking expeditions to Dayara Bugyal and further. Raithal is also an ideal tourist village also known for its rich history and cultural heritage. Included in this heritage is this festival which is almost unique in Indian traditions. And interesting thing is that...

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AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Faith sees no fear at Yamunotri

Upendra SwamiMay 26, 2018 2120 Views18

Rubbing your shoulders against the ponies, fear of being hit by wooden sticks protubering out of palakis (पालकी), getting squeezed between rush of pilgrims on one side and rocky hillside on the other and a long tiring journey--nothing deters you from your faith that drives you to reach the Yamunotri temple on the foothills of Kalind mountain. Here faith sees no fear. And you have enough of motivation to do that, even if you are not a traditional pilgrim type--a breeze of fresh air, song of the river flowing deep in the beautiful lush green valley on your right and a majestic sight of snow-clad peaks of Garhwal Himalayas. THE YATRA Yamunotri is the westernmost shrine of this region. Hence it is traditionally the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra of...

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IndiaPhoto Of The DayPhotogallery

Photo of the day – Seems Surreal!

Upendra SwamiApril 9, 2015 1721 Views2

Beautifully laid untouched snow on top of the hill! An amazing 360 degree view of natural splendour in clear blue skies. Gorgeous unhindered spectacle of himalayan ranges from Himachal to Chaukhamba to Trishul and Nanda Devi right in front of your eyes. No mess of a tourist place. Calm and seclude and above all this altitude of almost 10 thousand feet so approachable as a just 45 minutes cool trek from main motorable route. Seems surreal, isn't it! And it is in India. Wanna be there? Drop down at Kaddukhal on main Mussorie-Chamba road in Uttarakhand and take a one and half kilometre trek through to top, to Surkanda Devi temple. Its amazing! ...

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आवारासफरIndia

देवी के धाम से हिमालयी नजारा

Upendra SwamiApril 8, 2015 1801 Views6

बड़े हिल स्टेशनों की चमक-दमक में अक्सर हम उनके आसपास की ज्यादा खूबसूरत जगहों को भूल जाते हैं। सैलानी ज्यादा लोकप्रिय जगहों पर ही आकर अटक जाते हैं। ऐसी ही बात सुरकंडा देवी के मंदिर के बारे में भी कही जा सकती है। सुरकंडा का मंदिर देवी का महत्वपूर्ण स्थान है। दरअसल गढ़वाल के इस इलाके में प्रमुखतम धार्मिक स्थान के तौर पर माना जाता है। लेकिन इस जगह की अहमियत केवल इतनी नहीं है। यह इस इलाके का सबसे ऊंचा स्थान है और इसकी ऊंचाई 9995 फुट है। मंदिर ठीक पहाड़ की चोटी पर है। इसके चलते जब आप ऊपर हों तो चारों तरफ नजरें घुमाकर 360 डिग्री का नजारा लिया जा सकता है। केवल इतना ही नहीं, इस जगह की दुर्लभता इसलिए भी है कि उत्तर-पूर्व की ओर यहां हिमालय की श्रृंखलाएं बिखरी पड़ी हैं। चूंकि बीच में कोई और व्यवधान नहीं है इसलिए बाईं तरफ हिमाचल प्रदेश की पहाडिय़ों से लेकर सबसे दाहिनी तरफ नंदा देवी तक की पूरी श्रृंखला

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India

Traditional dance of Garhwal- Jhora at Waan

Upendra SwamiSeptember 29, 2014 2041 Views0

Traditional folk dance at Waan during Nanda Devi Rajjaat Yatra 2014. Last inhabitated village on Rajjaat route towards Bedini Bugyal, Waan is famous for its Latu temple. Latu is considered to be brother of Goddess Nanda Devi. Here onwards Latu leads the Yatra till Homkund. The video here is of traditional 'Jhora' in Nanda Devi's praise by men & women in traditional attire. Most special are women ornaments,  these ornaments also reflect their social status. Sung in local dialect, group of men first recite a couplet, which is repeated by the women folk. This can go on for hours, the flow of words and rhythm (steps as well) of dance keep on changing, but tempo remains the same. Normally it is a slow paced dance. People keep on joining or moving out of the sequence as per their conve

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