Located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand in Himalayan India, Hemkund Sahib gurudwara is among those rare places which provide an excellent mix of adventure and pilgrimage. Hemkund Sahib (also spelled Hemkunt) is a Sikh place of worship Gurudwara, known as Gurudwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib Ji, devoted to Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666–1708), the tenth Sikh Guru, which finds mention in Dasam Granth, a piece of work believed to be narrated by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It is situated at one end of a glacial lake surrounded by seven mountain peaks and each peak adorned by a Nishan Sahib on its cliff, it is located in the Himalayas at an elevation of 4632 meters (15,200 ft). Just like Valley of flowers (read: http://vagabondimages.in/2013/09/11/valley-of-flowers/) approach to Hemkund is also via Joshimat
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राम की कथा से रामेश्वरम का गहरा नाता उसे मिथकों में वही दर्जा दिला देता है जो देश के तमाम पौराणिक शहरों को हासिल है। इसमें कोई शक नहीं कि रामेश्वरम की ज्यादातर महत्ता रामनाथस्वामी मंदिर के लिए है, लेकिन रामेश्वरम की भौगोलिक स्थिति और प्राकृतिक खूबसूरती उसे बाकी लिहाज से भी आकर्षण का केंद्र बनाती है धनुष्कोडी से रामेश्वरम लौटते समय इस नजारे की कल्पना मैंने नहीं की थी। जब रामेश्वरम नजदीक आने लगा और मेरी निगाहें अचानक समुद्र की ओर गईं तो मैं किनारे से थोड़ी ही दूर हजारों की तादाद में फ्लेमिंगो देखकर अचंभित रह गया। दुनिया के इस हिस्से में पाए जाने वाले ग्रेटर फ्लेमिंगो भारत के कई तटीय इलाकों में दिख जाते हैं। चिलिका झील के नलबन द्वीप में मैं फ्लेमिंगो देख चुका था, लेकिन यहां वे काफी नजदीक थे और खासी बड़ी संख्या में भी। रामेश्वरम की इस खासियत के बारे में मुझे नहीं पता था। फ्लेमिंगो देखने...
Read MoreThe Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, which takes place in Uttarakhand state of Himalayan India, once in 12 years and was scheduled for August 29 this year, has been finally cancelled. Since roads and bridges along the yatra path were damaged in the floods in June, and were unsafe to use. It is considered to be one of the longest religious processions in the world. Strangely just twenty days back it was decided that Yatra won’t be postponed. On 26th July it was said that it would be a low-profile event but will happen on schedule. But it seems that after long deliberations with the government and within the community, it was decided that cancelling the Yatra is best possible option in the current scenario. In few days, a new schedule for the Yatra shall be announced. In the meantime, on 26t...
Read MoreThe famed Nanda Devi Jaat Yatra, held after every 12 years in Uttarakhand hill state of north India, will not be postponed in wake of the recent rain tragedy in Kedarnath, Chamoli, Rudraprayg areas, which left scores dead and entire hill state shaken. Although, district authorities have suggested keeping it at a local level this time saying they are not in a position to handle big crowds. The Nanda Raj Jaat, known as the Kumbh of Uttarakhand, is slated to be held from August 29 to September 16, 2013. The 280 km and 19-day trek starts from Nauti village and reaches Homkund through Bedini Bugyal, Roopkund and the very difficult Gali pass. The yatra will be organised as per schedule though there was a proposal to postpone it. We spoke to the local people who want it to go on. It is a rel...
Read MoreState of Assam in Eastern India is promoting religious tourism in the state and the ongoing "Ambubachi Mela" at the famous Kamakhya Temple is the first step in this direction. Other festivals like Doul (Holi) Utsav at Barpeta and Bordowa, Shivaratri at Umananda and Shiva Doul at Sibsagar and Urs Festival at Poa Mecca at Hajo will similarly be focused, Tourism Director Anjan Chakraborty said. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has urged the concerned department to undertake publicity campaigns, both within and outside the state, to attract tourists to the 'unique' festivals. Gogoi formally threw open the Ambubachi Mela a day before the annual festival last Saturday and said that the state government would leave no stone unturned to provide adequate facilities to the pilgrims d...
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