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Nature, myth and history of Syahi Devi Temple

Upendra SwamiMay 26, 2019 7485 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...

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AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Its spring time and lower Himalayas are laden with beauty!

Upendra SwamiMarch 31, 2019 2887 Views6

I have always felt that spring is the best time to go to hills, specially in the lower Himalayan region. And, that's not just for adventure trips, but also for the leisure trips to hill stations. It's about weather, it's about brightness, it's about colours, it's about nature and its about views. Everything in abundance. It gives such a jovial feeling when you are here during this time. As soon as the winter freeze gives way to the some warmth, the new life comes out of the earth. The whiteness of winter turns colourful with all types of flowers. Peach blossoms are this region's answer to Cherry Blossoms in East Asia during most this time. Peach blossoms turn the surroundings pink in the spring time. Although it's not so as of now, I think that it won't be too long when pe...

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AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

A photo journey to Shitlakhet, a hidden gem in Kumaon

Upendra SwamiAugust 26, 2018 4124 Views13

I had been hearing about Shitlakhet for almost ten years now, ever since I started visiting the Almora region more frequently. I even made some flying visits to the village, and had some incredibly tasty maggi. But never got an opportunity to stay overnight and explore the place until last month when I was there as the part of the Bloggers Bus of Uttarakhand Tourism. Although a one night stay is just not enough to do any justice to this place, but we tried to extract  as much experience as possible. Shitlakhet is certainly not a happening place. But I can bet, it is unimaginably beautiful. It is just a small village at the end of the mountain ridge. But it is full of adventure and it is certainly a photographers paradise. Hence, I though that it is better to talk about this ...

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AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Whispering winds, hovering clouds and a ghost which wasn’t there!

Upendra SwamiAugust 12, 2018 5426 Views8

If I would have been believing in ghosts than I could have said that this ghost certainly loved nature and he lived in most exotic of locations. Ghosts or not, this place known as Abbott Mount certainly had a captivating charm. It did create a magnetic pull on us. As soon as I came to know that there is this haunted place, in no time I was just running on the mountain trail towards that spooky mansion on the top the mountain along with two others. I felt just like a member of ghost busters team on a mission. Other members of our Bloggers Bus team stayed back, few may be because of fear, few due to disinterest and remaining for hating to walk so long. Prelude But there is very interesting prelude to this visit. We reached Lohaghat on fifth night of our roadtrip in Kumaon region of

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AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Myth and mystery of the cave 90 feet deep

Upendra SwamiAugust 5, 2018 4629 Views1

Patal Bhuvaneshwar temple was in and out of our itinerary for the Bloggers Bus at various points. It was no where in the initial plans, but  when a fellow blogger asked for it than it was included in the programme. By the time we reached from Kausani to Chaukori, KMVN official in-charge of our trip came up with the information that it wasn't safe to go inside as there would be lack of oxygen inside the cave and it was also raining continuously in the region. There was another catch, we were told that cameras are not allowed inside and all phones and cameras have to be deposited at the counter outside the cave. Most of our interest got diffused because of that too. Going to a new place and not able to photograph it was somewhat turn-off.  It rained whole night at Chaukori and that al

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IndiaPhotogallery

Myriad colours of a sunrise

Upendra SwamiJune 16, 2015 1895 Views4

How to celebrate the announcement that my blog has been included in list of Top Travel Bloggers of India by Holidify.com (http://www.holidify.com/blog/top-travel-bloggers-india/)? What better could be than to post a another beautiful photo story (my blog is in list of Top Photo Blogs). Photographing sun is one of my favourite photo works. This one was recently done and where else than the place which I consider as one of the best places in India to view a sunrise- Kausani (in Kumaon region of Himalayan state Uttarakhand). Whether or not there is a clear blue sky to let golden hue of Trishul and Nanda Devi peaks mesmerise you, but sunrise here will definitely throw some amazing colours. Astonishing drawings-   You will always be surprised by the beauty, how the moun...

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IndiaPhotogallery

A Bougainvillea love story in Almora

Upendra SwamiJune 13, 2015 3639 Views11

Its rare for a Bougainvillea bush to become a landmark. But it actually is. This is one happy, big Bougainvillea bush right in the middle of the market at Almora in Uttarakhand. Its said that more than 35 years ago, this bougainvillea wrapped itself around a deodar tree. Their love story continues. Actually people in Almora consider this as symbol of love. Now it has turned into a massive bougainvillea on Mall Road. So much so that, one has to actually look deep to search for the deodar tree, beneath it. It has turned itself into an attraction of sort for the tourists coming to Almora. It always fascinated me ever since I had my first visit to Almora, many years back. Its so big, so lush that perhaps it is one among very few things of the city that can be spotted and identified from...

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Photo of the day – Wildfire or…

Upendra SwamiOctober 8, 2014 888 Views0

Seems like a distant wildfire. Isn't it! Few other sunrises can be compared to this view. This is one of the best places to admire the beauty of a sunrise and a sunset as well- Kausani in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. But this photo tells only the half of the story, when one knows that just in front of you is a panoramic view of 360 kms of snow-clad Himalayan ranges including Chaukhambha, Trishul and Nanda Devi. Truly, a beauty unparalleled. ...

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AdventureIndiaNews

Nanda Devi Rajjat yatra from 18th August

Upendra SwamiJuly 17, 2014 4866 Views3

After two years of postponement the eagerly awaited Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra will finally take place from 18th August to 6th September this year. The Nanda Raj Jat takes place once every twelve years - the journey starts from Nauti village (Karnaprayag district of Uttarakhand state in India) accompanying a mythical four-horned sheep and Doli and all sorts of gifts for Nanda Devi, who is treated as a daughter revisiting her mother. Last Yatra happened in 2000. Hence it was originally scheduled in 2012 but was postponed due to Malmaas (one inauspicious month) in that year. Hence rescheduled to happen in 2013, again last year it was postponed due to natural catastrophe (flash floods) in Kedarnath area, which created widespread destruction and huge loss of life and property across Himalayan...

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